tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25789371761534503372024-03-18T05:20:22.173-04:00While I LingerA work in progressWhile I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.comBlogger228125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-43563335848195634032023-08-23T16:21:00.000-04:002023-08-23T16:21:08.284-04:00Beach House 2023<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Hello! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;">Are you surprised it didn't take me nine months to follow up the last post? Me, too! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2023/07/before-1980s-beach-house-busy.html" target="_blank">Per the last post</a>, I have been working on a friend's "new" beach house and while it was new to her it was not new in the truest sense. It needed a bit of a pick me up and I had no problem jumping in the second that she asked! </p><p style="text-align: center;">Any reason to be by the ocean-even if it is "work" is a good enough incentive for me. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ready?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Let's go! </span></b></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pskHnMplQQun6b7U1qmx37LOFEMPsZANEgxslYRw69bPYBq00mdSEzv3LudRe9fVykKUOvpddnwM89uy_rMXKJJI77uyBO1ShAgbt8SHo-OUk6b9rejtYwU1vs4X-lHkGZOR1dX3otSEDPSMeAl6YGmvVTXdA4OkoB1fdPLYdX48s8Wq484LCjxZMaGa/s1236/beach%20hive%20front%20before.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1236" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pskHnMplQQun6b7U1qmx37LOFEMPsZANEgxslYRw69bPYBq00mdSEzv3LudRe9fVykKUOvpddnwM89uy_rMXKJJI77uyBO1ShAgbt8SHo-OUk6b9rejtYwU1vs4X-lHkGZOR1dX3otSEDPSMeAl6YGmvVTXdA4OkoB1fdPLYdX48s8Wq484LCjxZMaGa/w640-h490/beach%20hive%20front%20before.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8Y6PM4IKVy60gBDtWxPdacWQz0OLwhYTFnCr4HGmjF-3SGJTEhl0qB3wcNl9hp_hGib6xVtJf9C2AejrcO5druXPopIjw4Iw5xZTwS2Ju5Y0J3DexyLd4qJIX35TIIU0YYUdi3iYP8yzjCkqpa6hn_8wFVKipkgva3VTPCZ6BlTqU6djOLMymLLeEhKI/s2731/front%20after.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1903" data-original-width="2731" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8Y6PM4IKVy60gBDtWxPdacWQz0OLwhYTFnCr4HGmjF-3SGJTEhl0qB3wcNl9hp_hGib6xVtJf9C2AejrcO5druXPopIjw4Iw5xZTwS2Ju5Y0J3DexyLd4qJIX35TIIU0YYUdi3iYP8yzjCkqpa6hn_8wFVKipkgva3VTPCZ6BlTqU6djOLMymLLeEhKI/w640-h446/front%20after.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>This is the Beach Hive! The family has five children, all with names beginning with the letter B. You will see some subtle nods to bees as you scroll through the photos. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kwC-q-xONVg2o7Udvg9606qt5sRSOFaX3dakEZ2pS6yOW4064_w2rHbnne22D8We7TysRG01KinZNvY9_WdY0dLK4wE25K4r3C38A2OqhxoczPxAF95tfxCKFhfD0ya9KWGEPRITMiBr2oAwO4znjZVQ1t6fZgY4rsZZuT44R-qoEjL-phMnspegaKf0/s2816/IMG_9386.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kwC-q-xONVg2o7Udvg9606qt5sRSOFaX3dakEZ2pS6yOW4064_w2rHbnne22D8We7TysRG01KinZNvY9_WdY0dLK4wE25K4r3C38A2OqhxoczPxAF95tfxCKFhfD0ya9KWGEPRITMiBr2oAwO4znjZVQ1t6fZgY4rsZZuT44R-qoEjL-phMnspegaKf0/w480-h640/IMG_9386.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was once a long, dark hallway with no natural light.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8s5EONLzv_c50jRTUpFyJEeTyARRr4CamS0HBBKSvI4QfOfwnwwVH-lyOKZeTe6i43VjyVEXzP-GEduKBmEJgtF6ZKn2sq4NJSBTOGeuis4Z1KiCAtxK34nXHWdTC8QjkFe3p02tyhIkLP0franDkRZgOjADYCMqE1HVjckks3WWCk52zyWiwkI3egN4w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8s5EONLzv_c50jRTUpFyJEeTyARRr4CamS0HBBKSvI4QfOfwnwwVH-lyOKZeTe6i43VjyVEXzP-GEduKBmEJgtF6ZKn2sq4NJSBTOGeuis4Z1KiCAtxK34nXHWdTC8QjkFe3p02tyhIkLP0franDkRZgOjADYCMqE1HVjckks3WWCk52zyWiwkI3egN4w=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>That's a little blurry but you see where we opened it up. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqEtieSiQ9nhKsFwnlfA_pW0SnBvuqKfdyR4RKYNQ84GnfIe1mM_Et-pjeqH1wCsrAHOc3p1S6bPvWqQ66hptL7jMbixvLeTx5Z4N4uJuhmAAhbfYJuUTb-B_DIrucVvkCgXVNnhoNssGeMQfeB1HuDmr-LfFJPdFMwKzvQR4eZnpzAjXK4Sv85uIX2EJ/s2816/IMG_9388.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqEtieSiQ9nhKsFwnlfA_pW0SnBvuqKfdyR4RKYNQ84GnfIe1mM_Et-pjeqH1wCsrAHOc3p1S6bPvWqQ66hptL7jMbixvLeTx5Z4N4uJuhmAAhbfYJuUTb-B_DIrucVvkCgXVNnhoNssGeMQfeB1HuDmr-LfFJPdFMwKzvQR4eZnpzAjXK4Sv85uIX2EJ/w480-h640/IMG_9388.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Notice the bee door knocker? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The entry way had a washer and dryer behind folding doors. We had them removed and reworked the area, had a smaller closet built with a regular door and put in a stackable laundry unit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The extra space allowed us to build in a bench and hook area; a mudroom of sorts to store beach towels, purses, bookbags and shoes upon entering the house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagppcok6-8ccQGD-A5h3hyTtRQX3RMI9UiyGu661mqWItrbl5tALOrmu71si0-OcuBrnqk79mKI6MNipHclbwOL44DmeRIrpqwjnG18BjNpFxFBNLqmt5e-lwiTtCRlwEWI-QX5C8xrCNexx-0qpAKi5-IJ6_8lZNL8mu-84kg1hiT6R8Hsvdkb2fuYZ6/s2515/IMG_9387.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2515" data-original-width="1557" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagppcok6-8ccQGD-A5h3hyTtRQX3RMI9UiyGu661mqWItrbl5tALOrmu71si0-OcuBrnqk79mKI6MNipHclbwOL44DmeRIrpqwjnG18BjNpFxFBNLqmt5e-lwiTtCRlwEWI-QX5C8xrCNexx-0qpAKi5-IJ6_8lZNL8mu-84kg1hiT6R8Hsvdkb2fuYZ6/w396-h640/IMG_9387.JPG" width="396" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I love the board and batten. Keep scrolling...It is not the only place we used this treatment in the house. The whale tail hooks were a great find by the owners! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did not get any before pictures of the downstairs bathroom when it was in tact. There was 12x12 blue tile with this paint color:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFg6AM5bs8G_Uvg4uyvkJkUGiIlKEyllBqH_5H1WQTdq3yuf5AUWE_gKW7hcQ11UZwOoM8_6yoGVGdA5opuGahvcv9hR3E5BOtwDEQorCnrkj0Ytu86tlj_MDa_80LXttOWaz5bBQYTKrv1UuHHuTff3CPWhtCMqCTyVpChVEuHbiWvu7u2UySBg2haZj/s2048/bathroom%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFg6AM5bs8G_Uvg4uyvkJkUGiIlKEyllBqH_5H1WQTdq3yuf5AUWE_gKW7hcQ11UZwOoM8_6yoGVGdA5opuGahvcv9hR3E5BOtwDEQorCnrkj0Ytu86tlj_MDa_80LXttOWaz5bBQYTKrv1UuHHuTff3CPWhtCMqCTyVpChVEuHbiWvu7u2UySBg2haZj/w480-h640/bathroom%202.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Needing a hands-on project, the owners installed the board and batten on one wall like in the hall bench and hook nook. They did an excellent job, don't you think? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tip: prime your boards before installing, caulk everywhere the board meets drywall, then paint all once caulking is dry. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_bq74PWFTGvdKRTccCb0x4NLkKtJbZUzk3BYfCdYPkiIO2o7HCAgbRaAPW7g8k_RdehjWmDrcDsITxAMx74REeZhr1yxop03VjWCSqGctsbxUxPHTwQgjl-YmPdXpTXizXErpK_HeuBval-f5nPfu-wx1B_HeOrr5gc0LyS9ztNeVv8VHb9WjE2o-RYH/s8264/IMG_8527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3786" data-original-width="8264" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_bq74PWFTGvdKRTccCb0x4NLkKtJbZUzk3BYfCdYPkiIO2o7HCAgbRaAPW7g8k_RdehjWmDrcDsITxAMx74REeZhr1yxop03VjWCSqGctsbxUxPHTwQgjl-YmPdXpTXizXErpK_HeuBval-f5nPfu-wx1B_HeOrr5gc0LyS9ztNeVv8VHb9WjE2o-RYH/w640-h294/IMG_8527.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtCqFCd5yyfYG2RZGIOgiiET19ZUDozTJIFwmYETqssr6hQINOBMK55OzP3Q4SF_PgCgth0Ztk9Btda0uOdRQkej02VGV0AFukkbTr7Kh776hBpXxSfP_biV7j4FEefzdrTOPaN2FBSGoN0_4mEx3s5JdUGAo3jM1VaAQNR2mfI6RPv-CLsvygtO596H3/s2816/IMG_9359.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtCqFCd5yyfYG2RZGIOgiiET19ZUDozTJIFwmYETqssr6hQINOBMK55OzP3Q4SF_PgCgth0Ztk9Btda0uOdRQkej02VGV0AFukkbTr7Kh776hBpXxSfP_biV7j4FEefzdrTOPaN2FBSGoN0_4mEx3s5JdUGAo3jM1VaAQNR2mfI6RPv-CLsvygtO596H3/w480-h640/IMG_9359.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Notice the honeycomb pattern on the vanity! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No real work was done in the bedrooms or master bath (yet) so we're going to jump right to the stunner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the last post I showed you the door way we cut into the hallway that will allow easier access to the kitchen. A few photos up you can see it by the entry door. But why did we do that? Reason number one: because there was only one entrance into the kitchen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what it was...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirglV5oo4x-2IINt-Ld5gL1tPnJugF1XhwirQPwpAs47-XApoNB6vsvkytdtMGriQEACOW5jYinKPOB17j-A2juQj9DCeeK6WWZm5iwD_U8CpIg8mgt4--Tuzpf6S880PDv8H4pUsDsvX9Yw9hMEwxMEKAs2P_Lar1Dy6ibQZu2biRWyMI7O66wLBMKWlX/s900/old%20kitchen%20entry.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirglV5oo4x-2IINt-Ld5gL1tPnJugF1XhwirQPwpAs47-XApoNB6vsvkytdtMGriQEACOW5jYinKPOB17j-A2juQj9DCeeK6WWZm5iwD_U8CpIg8mgt4--Tuzpf6S880PDv8H4pUsDsvX9Yw9hMEwxMEKAs2P_Lar1Dy6ibQZu2biRWyMI7O66wLBMKWlX/w640-h426/old%20kitchen%20entry.webp" width="640" /></a></div><div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> ^^^</span></span><br /></div><div><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span>Photos from original listing long, dark hall</span></span></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIc6HbEL-IRAegIU7gbJC4Ff_EpV49nm9m8JvLqB18mAYS6Lczw5jDFRvz_88cQKpRC_oNpYqcEGSNhglPPOnxoTM8gYazO1s_BHfAeGy_T6zq2LBLqw4xvoWrwlRmmB1lBy9Y4sgO6eobXzy5Gmr45UvPIEy795HiiNac0p49qpTCxl7VTaeiqfqcBVNP/s900/kichen%20cutout.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIc6HbEL-IRAegIU7gbJC4Ff_EpV49nm9m8JvLqB18mAYS6Lczw5jDFRvz_88cQKpRC_oNpYqcEGSNhglPPOnxoTM8gYazO1s_BHfAeGy_T6zq2LBLqw4xvoWrwlRmmB1lBy9Y4sgO6eobXzy5Gmr45UvPIEy795HiiNac0p49qpTCxl7VTaeiqfqcBVNP/w640-h426/kichen%20cutout.jpeg" width="640" /></a><div><br /><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7WPNHZyNHfa9lEkkcuMsgp1l0ERAHXOUpQBL68HDCT8NvO0-ovu17zJ-n8sodseNPBhPwCGYnhTQRFF6N2T6f6dhRyUuai7wgypKLkxS2xm05gfnaINkgn5ks4Kij2rNtgQ1fQ3xEQ-VDUk1p4DMZ6wNJhu-J22k643nAC-FaxLJ6hwFhGydvk80YTfR/s900/kitchen%20cutout%20from%20inside.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7WPNHZyNHfa9lEkkcuMsgp1l0ERAHXOUpQBL68HDCT8NvO0-ovu17zJ-n8sodseNPBhPwCGYnhTQRFF6N2T6f6dhRyUuai7wgypKLkxS2xm05gfnaINkgn5ks4Kij2rNtgQ1fQ3xEQ-VDUk1p4DMZ6wNJhu-J22k643nAC-FaxLJ6hwFhGydvk80YTfR/w640-h426/kitchen%20cutout%20from%20inside.webp" width="640" /></a></div><div> </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Ready?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><u><b><i>And this is what it is now!</i></b></u></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk14DJ1_ZKabjuXBL9_jOFGY1Fhabl85UF1O3WmYVtuIEEolXLSygZCKotLNGvp7U74BJz4trtweXqWvlJ97K3KBvyHMfiCX34uxEaGC7-8f0BDbkNrypUGeuv2CUeDO7NxLgVhK85TRSjJhv9z2T_AU6RBajpPeew5ih7KOelbZW-ooI3fM_EmKLz-mS5/s2816/IMG_9331.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk14DJ1_ZKabjuXBL9_jOFGY1Fhabl85UF1O3WmYVtuIEEolXLSygZCKotLNGvp7U74BJz4trtweXqWvlJ97K3KBvyHMfiCX34uxEaGC7-8f0BDbkNrypUGeuv2CUeDO7NxLgVhK85TRSjJhv9z2T_AU6RBajpPeew5ih7KOelbZW-ooI3fM_EmKLz-mS5/w640-h480/IMG_9331.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Notice the honeycomb pattern in the kitchen floor tile. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Originally, I wanted the pattern to live-edge into the wood flooring but the amount of work and the cost made the decision to go with a straight edge the more cost effective choice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUMoBdzIUoRADyXXSOW8CX2bVJsQxs7BOz_BPJGyB8gMwAs6jFOWZxYXI17VDs5PE7pd_7wem-Z_PM1LZXImhXvSUwU_ZPOZ_q2LDvKh-kHgGsfx19LrvmEo4uoRa_Uz8Ms78570TqEmssUIeEnXND3kUOLv4Y6_40bGZuYdzweoShv-Xu4-ijAeWsvhF/s2816/IMG_9341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUMoBdzIUoRADyXXSOW8CX2bVJsQxs7BOz_BPJGyB8gMwAs6jFOWZxYXI17VDs5PE7pd_7wem-Z_PM1LZXImhXvSUwU_ZPOZ_q2LDvKh-kHgGsfx19LrvmEo4uoRa_Uz8Ms78570TqEmssUIeEnXND3kUOLv4Y6_40bGZuYdzweoShv-Xu4-ijAeWsvhF/w640-h480/IMG_9341.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was a thick fog that came in as the sun came up making lighting hard for photos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> That view-even with the fog- is stunning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That was what I wanted people to see as soon as they entered the house- not some long dark hallway and that was reason number two for opening up the hallway wall and taking down the cutout wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The kitchen area now has three access points versus just the one </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and oh, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">did I mention the view?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The house, when purchased, had wood on the ceiling and down the walls between the sliding glass doors. My initial thought was to whitewash it all but when the walls were </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">painted a warm white the wood really did look beautiful. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also, many men hate painting wood!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I think it is in their DNA. I knew it would be a tough sell to try to paint it.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTMOQfB11CIcxwbkQxrJdYQYOZ4dlVHVeB3bM5YNhuUDjBKraLfol_avOikV_Uo3o68Ttqh2VhEF5MI5xJnayB48SjxdV4VMdrFWctyyjbp8VKbadnSclplEIYuFoP93TAC76ND4XkHZ82QyRNpYHF0xhqxoAqoHU9u-xm0egKNdXS_t6D0CtDulGPpWK/s900/dining%20area.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTMOQfB11CIcxwbkQxrJdYQYOZ4dlVHVeB3bM5YNhuUDjBKraLfol_avOikV_Uo3o68Ttqh2VhEF5MI5xJnayB48SjxdV4VMdrFWctyyjbp8VKbadnSclplEIYuFoP93TAC76ND4XkHZ82QyRNpYHF0xhqxoAqoHU9u-xm0egKNdXS_t6D0CtDulGPpWK/w640-h426/dining%20area.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We had to go with larger sliding glass doors than was originally in place (<a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2023/07/before-1980s-beach-house-busy.html" target="_blank">explained in the last post</a>) and when finished the wood between them looked unintentional and out of place. </div><div>The homeowners made an executive decision to have the wood around the sliders painted white! </div><div style="text-align: center;">YES!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It completely makes the wall go away and all you see is the view. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We did leave the wood ceiling unpainted. To disperse some of that warmth around the open space I had the strictly-decorative hood vent over the stove wrapped in the same wood.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-Pc9ibTy6sLoJ8_ojnSbsvYr7iR0nmHZYHi_jMroyWAlL9kLGwtIf5-eDtBy4dWkqoiWit3HPAx7zeYoQhRXdISGamqjia5q1jPyrOT2flpGbTPdMLTMXXNDgSkpyzLriYKr_-qEOzqCwrTGGsfhfAW0_4nPhxiySGNTnU6IC7B2jsKyGdOS6o36mvu5/s4032/IMG_8521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-Pc9ibTy6sLoJ8_ojnSbsvYr7iR0nmHZYHi_jMroyWAlL9kLGwtIf5-eDtBy4dWkqoiWit3HPAx7zeYoQhRXdISGamqjia5q1jPyrOT2flpGbTPdMLTMXXNDgSkpyzLriYKr_-qEOzqCwrTGGsfhfAW0_4nPhxiySGNTnU6IC7B2jsKyGdOS6o36mvu5/w480-h640/IMG_8521.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> I am in love with the wall tile! It looks like waves and when the light washes down it reminds me of a sunset on the ocean. The countertops are gorgeous with a hint of the navy blue used in the cabinet bases and a greige; a nod to water and sand meeting on a shoreline but without being too busy. </div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFtb--L9eIylkQQPY3gpcD0QLm-Ws3VcruZQFSPdf854s7-KIV7v9GTAO37922-Q5erJFyG-6K4FQC0HCMsoaCyHiSyHe16qW5zZbajFL4lSZaUhk5pS3OXQ2nz0FricdVTCV801vCR9Bd6EQOVMxasiZfrE88dOm7sTv8YOkg5MYJGVzRD6uRD1sfCTu/s2816/IMG_9336.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFtb--L9eIylkQQPY3gpcD0QLm-Ws3VcruZQFSPdf854s7-KIV7v9GTAO37922-Q5erJFyG-6K4FQC0HCMsoaCyHiSyHe16qW5zZbajFL4lSZaUhk5pS3OXQ2nz0FricdVTCV801vCR9Bd6EQOVMxasiZfrE88dOm7sTv8YOkg5MYJGVzRD6uRD1sfCTu/w480-h640/IMG_9336.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJ1rOoBaq6WBUUcYx2_HBN0BsQlsulNn9qtvPSLau8U9j_zQpJ8Dc9pkDwbT1VR2lS_syCccev7f501tUznglD7bq2CqnsLef7CZzRZV6_2KKZmK93LBaaSAXpItPYvKJh4_UhpbCKrPz4heyK0Tnmex10_vqNIKb69jy6fpFsrWOayAwq0OSrm9vj_Xk/s2538/IMG_9351.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2538" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJ1rOoBaq6WBUUcYx2_HBN0BsQlsulNn9qtvPSLau8U9j_zQpJ8Dc9pkDwbT1VR2lS_syCccev7f501tUznglD7bq2CqnsLef7CZzRZV6_2KKZmK93LBaaSAXpItPYvKJh4_UhpbCKrPz4heyK0Tnmex10_vqNIKb69jy6fpFsrWOayAwq0OSrm9vj_Xk/w532-h640/IMG_9351.JPG" width="532" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdc4UUzIQXjS-KyakxGrUy4CzuVzA99hQkPUrQhQ0ervCvn6FVYtEyRNaX97h5HMXu--wsumcOLdgnCv4w4STLLxiqiwjJZxCOl4sM3mHt69wBX0aZjPmZFrOwVpp929Ja10Dh2oXwchobaR2oR_32toDO0ieodxOpcKt_PyORFmrCx7uZTVnG_UtGvGy/s2816/IMG_9354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdc4UUzIQXjS-KyakxGrUy4CzuVzA99hQkPUrQhQ0ervCvn6FVYtEyRNaX97h5HMXu--wsumcOLdgnCv4w4STLLxiqiwjJZxCOl4sM3mHt69wBX0aZjPmZFrOwVpp929Ja10Dh2oXwchobaR2oR_32toDO0ieodxOpcKt_PyORFmrCx7uZTVnG_UtGvGy/w480-h640/IMG_9354.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Note the wood stools, wicker and rattan around the space to pull the wood warmth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NaDrKxlHcF0d9R_AsmngKC6Y4rxLj8UQ7V18DAujEv0XOchnBg6FozWrQfcowarru91kcSijtBL6ncgHkaEonNPEohJqahZ2GnzXfNzmvj3OgMLAUXERPXSmGAzC3SI0qgTT-gbF2DoWkG8yE5YdDORF2uEE5fws1P-TO5Alr6_mno0mm-Bbd0gxWZza/s2816/IMG_9342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="1609" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NaDrKxlHcF0d9R_AsmngKC6Y4rxLj8UQ7V18DAujEv0XOchnBg6FozWrQfcowarru91kcSijtBL6ncgHkaEonNPEohJqahZ2GnzXfNzmvj3OgMLAUXERPXSmGAzC3SI0qgTT-gbF2DoWkG8yE5YdDORF2uEE5fws1P-TO5Alr6_mno0mm-Bbd0gxWZza/w366-h640/IMG_9342.JPG" width="366" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That cabinet next to the fridge is hiding a little surprise...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnBEen4Gi0y1PIUuEJNzdwvl8z0WZdcZXxVjKPFXWeKVv17Qlkrko6hnFNBIWlk9j_Hembxd3Q8UyuaCxAlP_YQUpCUjPsaO8kCZXFrgd6DMCMOPwjC8gHSkFghiFJdOdmSppNvXWRsyo6G-fjwCoFCL2xnZFlXynqnlD0YsUVkFHZudJ0OiTIkDwu7Iw/s4032/coffee%20station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnBEen4Gi0y1PIUuEJNzdwvl8z0WZdcZXxVjKPFXWeKVv17Qlkrko6hnFNBIWlk9j_Hembxd3Q8UyuaCxAlP_YQUpCUjPsaO8kCZXFrgd6DMCMOPwjC8gHSkFghiFJdOdmSppNvXWRsyo6G-fjwCoFCL2xnZFlXynqnlD0YsUVkFHZudJ0OiTIkDwu7Iw/w480-h640/coffee%20station.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KptbU9nD2uYT_HuXKkB95_ekx0m11KzNjfbuPTPtl4p94OWhmL1jl8SVvPk6rvj1omAURzfCTnfIeKS5XSwISrjWTCjuDoRzjNoC1aE4CkEeEGy3Y49g9NDunbDCngNMkhuoCB7zO-Y_VrLrALNNpTAf2eHGEdIKQugBqlPyIX_VDHZziAaR4uLERQJ8/s2456/IMG_9356.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2077" data-original-width="2456" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KptbU9nD2uYT_HuXKkB95_ekx0m11KzNjfbuPTPtl4p94OWhmL1jl8SVvPk6rvj1omAURzfCTnfIeKS5XSwISrjWTCjuDoRzjNoC1aE4CkEeEGy3Y49g9NDunbDCngNMkhuoCB7zO-Y_VrLrALNNpTAf2eHGEdIKQugBqlPyIX_VDHZziAaR4uLERQJ8/w640-h542/IMG_9356.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRFHjkd_avQeYLsEsGuIJ15RGV_u9Deo2wUzPV3aafOPCzYYzLNbpFnLKsx--zJ6TjBH1RgiwgBuruec1KlQmwJ21TI7SxnsRYnD1ReWs-0KI3PZ4YIuHsITtfk39R5S8uPUtbQi0W7Mai5hQj5m8O1YxZNKwnEih5P3VPHrchueDfNsfPLCAgoJ4LN0b/s2302/IMG_9357.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2036" data-original-width="2302" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRFHjkd_avQeYLsEsGuIJ15RGV_u9Deo2wUzPV3aafOPCzYYzLNbpFnLKsx--zJ6TjBH1RgiwgBuruec1KlQmwJ21TI7SxnsRYnD1ReWs-0KI3PZ4YIuHsITtfk39R5S8uPUtbQi0W7Mai5hQj5m8O1YxZNKwnEih5P3VPHrchueDfNsfPLCAgoJ4LN0b/w640-h566/IMG_9357.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the pictures below you can see that we moved the dining area from where </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the original owners had it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyygp4tlxtm0XJ7L4xSK_1opi-ihrJW2i_8ctcGDg8N15SEqitrRR3o6VqVpMuyN60Y29Hrz0Aaolosw5PHyCAiF8GLnzqsPK7ppboG6nMVqb63fnM_KRDP1UGKfDu0aosSnO8YP4FoAL1HpY_UOhs56QysV4X3zT4DgTpXIdSpqAHgNDkOASejJ84GM_L/s900/dining%20area.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyygp4tlxtm0XJ7L4xSK_1opi-ihrJW2i_8ctcGDg8N15SEqitrRR3o6VqVpMuyN60Y29Hrz0Aaolosw5PHyCAiF8GLnzqsPK7ppboG6nMVqb63fnM_KRDP1UGKfDu0aosSnO8YP4FoAL1HpY_UOhs56QysV4X3zT4DgTpXIdSpqAHgNDkOASejJ84GM_L/w640-h426/dining%20area.webp" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On to the dining area...<span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkY09Kbr9HCuKTHVYqlF0vTXzvRq-3aI0Wnys1D8uLx3q_1x33xFishgNqJTC6_GXguCp6YeHDb_21stZiNqIi-AvvNuNKRhv6kxI38N_7JYxMJw9wrOasw4V1atkp-QzuDQ2yl9EGdAPiQgB1SgsR36pCGO1RimIbmU3mFfohxZZgT0r1AuvCpUeSJG-S/s2816/IMG_9462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkY09Kbr9HCuKTHVYqlF0vTXzvRq-3aI0Wnys1D8uLx3q_1x33xFishgNqJTC6_GXguCp6YeHDb_21stZiNqIi-AvvNuNKRhv6kxI38N_7JYxMJw9wrOasw4V1atkp-QzuDQ2yl9EGdAPiQgB1SgsR36pCGO1RimIbmU3mFfohxZZgT0r1AuvCpUeSJG-S/w640-h480/IMG_9462.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: left;"> </span>I had a little hiccup in the design process... </p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: center;"> We, homeowners and I, love the chandelier. It is a capiz shell lamp. I love the rectangular shape and originally wanted it repositioned to parallel the sliders and hung much lower. </span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">In my mind I wanted the table positioned that way, too but space did not allow for that.</span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: center;"> That wasn't the real hiccup, though. </span></p><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> What was not good is that the beautiful chandelier disappeared into our wall color!</div></div></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: center;">Whaa-whaa.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></p><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiOljfoqdnp42dM1yKw8-4LWoKwlzvCtn-twnl0bb_bNKyb4uY-73wlAi6HmcRrzT2wB_fQ9rR-1sByEgmwwbyL8hxL2bjMmnwbKJnD4AnNJM6h-wsVOiwFjZ0KDRsJ00M-RCQ5lthoi5EKxZtpwzReJVQWXNv9-qEmOyYcHpb4joIhoyGNjpFNwFRu8Q/s4032/IMG_1637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiOljfoqdnp42dM1yKw8-4LWoKwlzvCtn-twnl0bb_bNKyb4uY-73wlAi6HmcRrzT2wB_fQ9rR-1sByEgmwwbyL8hxL2bjMmnwbKJnD4AnNJM6h-wsVOiwFjZ0KDRsJ00M-RCQ5lthoi5EKxZtpwzReJVQWXNv9-qEmOyYcHpb4joIhoyGNjpFNwFRu8Q/w640-h480/IMG_1637.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVc_upGyazvA_6fPivB40iP3U0_qinemgQeHAcv-XPpI5zf4K9ahK5lJJlstDfum43Atz3e3ClWr7vC-Ue8JO-tLA6Cb7wc5LnkTqGrq5Jdg-rEpYjnyl2jUKh1IlUhboqhxikuPssVOIVT3rE2kdik0IiUfDUtNSz0SZcufX5HesS8a7gssZ22CydP-x/s4032/IMG_8517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div></div></blockquote><p> <span style="text-align: center;">Solution: we chose a color that matched the kitchen's base cabinets and WOW! </span></p><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVc_upGyazvA_6fPivB40iP3U0_qinemgQeHAcv-XPpI5zf4K9ahK5lJJlstDfum43Atz3e3ClWr7vC-Ue8JO-tLA6Cb7wc5LnkTqGrq5Jdg-rEpYjnyl2jUKh1IlUhboqhxikuPssVOIVT3rE2kdik0IiUfDUtNSz0SZcufX5HesS8a7gssZ22CydP-x/s4032/IMG_8517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVc_upGyazvA_6fPivB40iP3U0_qinemgQeHAcv-XPpI5zf4K9ahK5lJJlstDfum43Atz3e3ClWr7vC-Ue8JO-tLA6Cb7wc5LnkTqGrq5Jdg-rEpYjnyl2jUKh1IlUhboqhxikuPssVOIVT3rE2kdik0IiUfDUtNSz0SZcufX5HesS8a7gssZ22CydP-x/w480-h640/IMG_8517.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHywYQzDzCAh9QUeRFEZWg9bIImcoXtyJwJMgKLqVSE6NDE6lGvb3PUFRxSwdbVZp_jtDAOGGRSVDJQVWoKvwzLnM9n0gNBU6aIBvfmuHOGFp7qFHLTeyvmd0c59dc_pXp74fD1CGnqywZu8-TIPBbTb70zd-H1rbysbDsFcDFaRhfzYOE8R1keV9qME1L/s2257/IMG_9277A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2257" data-original-width="1685" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHywYQzDzCAh9QUeRFEZWg9bIImcoXtyJwJMgKLqVSE6NDE6lGvb3PUFRxSwdbVZp_jtDAOGGRSVDJQVWoKvwzLnM9n0gNBU6aIBvfmuHOGFp7qFHLTeyvmd0c59dc_pXp74fD1CGnqywZu8-TIPBbTb70zd-H1rbysbDsFcDFaRhfzYOE8R1keV9qME1L/w478-h640/IMG_9277A.JPG" width="478" /></a></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAnLsQRrstHurrtSrKbMwOEQYRwq0YkG_TNgUJhgQNiQvq2t3s-4-Zj1SAO3i1-NyAnEmCnN3XrS8rL1U6YKtZbkDpWbiW_QCe0_vm1LzlO-gsfxK2ANpwrKHYOKvhJPSLr5h9PQ-OpXLstisuc-k4cHucdGctwp3Dc6h1E6AN4UuLj7VXJkV7q8IieKB/s2816/IMG_9347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAnLsQRrstHurrtSrKbMwOEQYRwq0YkG_TNgUJhgQNiQvq2t3s-4-Zj1SAO3i1-NyAnEmCnN3XrS8rL1U6YKtZbkDpWbiW_QCe0_vm1LzlO-gsfxK2ANpwrKHYOKvhJPSLr5h9PQ-OpXLstisuc-k4cHucdGctwp3Dc6h1E6AN4UuLj7VXJkV7q8IieKB/w480-h640/IMG_9347.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zzuyL0OKVcMsSuoTJm00fwYxLjL3upEdv9Zf2LcrskRd0cB6qFR0pxllHIWIc16g9jGuW8OpHPVbaMfAreTcyunDj2djeRXEQ4IIyLRyQfT3KPzu9NqsYmMUKsmReohtws-Fi960Gbe8n0JJSEzo4v9duPeN7OLQTsEirfwJH6gH4otKO4QPXcQlYnY6/s2659/IMG_9272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="2659" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zzuyL0OKVcMsSuoTJm00fwYxLjL3upEdv9Zf2LcrskRd0cB6qFR0pxllHIWIc16g9jGuW8OpHPVbaMfAreTcyunDj2djeRXEQ4IIyLRyQfT3KPzu9NqsYmMUKsmReohtws-Fi960Gbe8n0JJSEzo4v9duPeN7OLQTsEirfwJH6gH4otKO4QPXcQlYnY6/w640-h480/IMG_9272.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharWzNAB_ByPhoHE_sH3g-kqsF7vPhKE4Impij7ToGElJed82wCFIJaM4I1WE8KpsB7jMFMcx9xcBmmggrjiI5YM_Ohs_BcFE-wn5oJ--HwPs1DRJpBSFjxqYt-Htfhn-MhBH3V2SZNkp2QVyT074V9rWqIc2RapfO2QNnngwP8YupT4dCtwbBsnJD1TKK/s4032/IMG_8520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharWzNAB_ByPhoHE_sH3g-kqsF7vPhKE4Impij7ToGElJed82wCFIJaM4I1WE8KpsB7jMFMcx9xcBmmggrjiI5YM_Ohs_BcFE-wn5oJ--HwPs1DRJpBSFjxqYt-Htfhn-MhBH3V2SZNkp2QVyT074V9rWqIc2RapfO2QNnngwP8YupT4dCtwbBsnJD1TKK/w640-h480/IMG_8520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrDlaf11VqfdX5enbehFYp2tqYyp3rCL6KzP_XXmbQC1kUu-tgnTkLsmEUT6-fudSF_Y6fOfjuZUJ1ntJlko8YMmLWoCflMbSO7-lj7vsJjjzu_HyX6zG08FZS84AoTG0wlRH-i_db72Hg5qUwZpTecwcdDAecorcaRcb280l1wSPqqs-kJBk6mhlUrJo/s2816/IMG_9282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrDlaf11VqfdX5enbehFYp2tqYyp3rCL6KzP_XXmbQC1kUu-tgnTkLsmEUT6-fudSF_Y6fOfjuZUJ1ntJlko8YMmLWoCflMbSO7-lj7vsJjjzu_HyX6zG08FZS84AoTG0wlRH-i_db72Hg5qUwZpTecwcdDAecorcaRcb280l1wSPqqs-kJBk6mhlUrJo/w640-h480/IMG_9282.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This little seating area is now where the table used to be; a great place to curl up with a book, have a cup of tea or glass of wine and watch the boats in Buzzard's Bay.</div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecaEDwkiP_5JBpy2jXZwJjCLBHQlkUrRB6ZDfyx5EJWsaEQ4_P43gxnWwqNDY7yjZcgrkakQk7QY8xQa94A8aRhfm8oa3r2ahbrCtrRYKOWTxN2dQGvtRBFMtAnMl-YYIaIi-J5Q-IJvvm1DM4SkdzSoFHE3uiuVr7fS7x8PM9BKvrmwKKDs9IsbWUhkH/s2816/IMG_9300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecaEDwkiP_5JBpy2jXZwJjCLBHQlkUrRB6ZDfyx5EJWsaEQ4_P43gxnWwqNDY7yjZcgrkakQk7QY8xQa94A8aRhfm8oa3r2ahbrCtrRYKOWTxN2dQGvtRBFMtAnMl-YYIaIi-J5Q-IJvvm1DM4SkdzSoFHE3uiuVr7fS7x8PM9BKvrmwKKDs9IsbWUhkH/w640-h480/IMG_9300.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhls7oEXsMhx5QyBWH5iYqua0Py8qlLipkMCoTLD_KvZHl4c2HxjxpJV17WvZ05xgJoEfoMffJiQ7ElTGiWc3D1QvHtR0kesk4irCrdJ04G9DBptd75lro2D_E75IkMaUesRqgKh26mfXQ9SXdWq10fUfNn0m6OvHx8BGOpqD7W11ZZi-2zZYyoIxK7lx2H/s2816/IMG_9302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhls7oEXsMhx5QyBWH5iYqua0Py8qlLipkMCoTLD_KvZHl4c2HxjxpJV17WvZ05xgJoEfoMffJiQ7ElTGiWc3D1QvHtR0kesk4irCrdJ04G9DBptd75lro2D_E75IkMaUesRqgKh26mfXQ9SXdWq10fUfNn0m6OvHx8BGOpqD7W11ZZi-2zZYyoIxK7lx2H/w480-h640/IMG_9302.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLaJVoJaWkW-QF0l4LqPxNxIcZU76lNyVpOPXVdU2gl3ezR_7qUJeB5tyYFWEn9iuWfizDzF7zlXc7lF1Iv-qkZ4oomryXK89fFWcqTqgx-W9_mgi6a8Z4vA-0Qz9d_u4uAvZiPOD37dPOTqtCp0aCd6AwsYjqI0gwZgjGoSGTAd4SbeL17_8Ks41glfr/s2816/IMG_9317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLaJVoJaWkW-QF0l4LqPxNxIcZU76lNyVpOPXVdU2gl3ezR_7qUJeB5tyYFWEn9iuWfizDzF7zlXc7lF1Iv-qkZ4oomryXK89fFWcqTqgx-W9_mgi6a8Z4vA-0Qz9d_u4uAvZiPOD37dPOTqtCp0aCd6AwsYjqI0gwZgjGoSGTAd4SbeL17_8Ks41glfr/w640-h480/IMG_9317.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlqQXqZX37Rx7MwQg82ZpGCpOmYcjx-d4F8BVPEfpXmOPyTsI-dNdCSEFE9bqOPH99Cx8pTmZsRPEXZFa9e4dzNQAiGjrO1cDFG3APq-AOCxNiHGezjoal98OXfvoX2Mqtd_4ivIW84fxGIHw4fJKQiz1x7C82aJ2RCxwFT4ZpM-CYnZfoWGfusTdRO2L/s2816/IMG_9346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlqQXqZX37Rx7MwQg82ZpGCpOmYcjx-d4F8BVPEfpXmOPyTsI-dNdCSEFE9bqOPH99Cx8pTmZsRPEXZFa9e4dzNQAiGjrO1cDFG3APq-AOCxNiHGezjoal98OXfvoX2Mqtd_4ivIW84fxGIHw4fJKQiz1x7C82aJ2RCxwFT4ZpM-CYnZfoWGfusTdRO2L/w640-h480/IMG_9346.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdB1-7VsOwVJKx2lW9GbIFImM1peRhfMJtuaE77u1oIHJ1TBXXUL1WrYPF-uV_FA38e7O8UU-ZrFXdR5_mmEnaynoFlHzAK2z84VmBsnYPrMgWaCrl8nSGGzheSDi4M4f93Oaod2vDaFsH2oDOhgh4eUzg-QX91_hgAbaxLF37fugEyPlf9K2zCKXHjJg2/s2538/IMG_9351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2538" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdB1-7VsOwVJKx2lW9GbIFImM1peRhfMJtuaE77u1oIHJ1TBXXUL1WrYPF-uV_FA38e7O8UU-ZrFXdR5_mmEnaynoFlHzAK2z84VmBsnYPrMgWaCrl8nSGGzheSDi4M4f93Oaod2vDaFsH2oDOhgh4eUzg-QX91_hgAbaxLF37fugEyPlf9K2zCKXHjJg2/w532-h640/IMG_9351.JPG" width="532" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2JYaNGjlQsC_N-dqak5R8OaQB2XN7D8K1UDcnraSigrnBpCa5FZA244uHiroy9TKICBqL8UGiruJ6_L5aR_ObA3e9q-xJ6VwA1QTQnOr1E0BFvGmKCeHOuWYmMyxAb1NJnqRHhPUtF5LApaDBy69hLO3POS1LUAXmKziXHyWQ_7Yv731EjJeSf-AYKO9/s2816/IMG_9329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2JYaNGjlQsC_N-dqak5R8OaQB2XN7D8K1UDcnraSigrnBpCa5FZA244uHiroy9TKICBqL8UGiruJ6_L5aR_ObA3e9q-xJ6VwA1QTQnOr1E0BFvGmKCeHOuWYmMyxAb1NJnqRHhPUtF5LApaDBy69hLO3POS1LUAXmKziXHyWQ_7Yv731EjJeSf-AYKO9/w640-h480/IMG_9329.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A reminder: this used to be the first view of the ocean after the dark entry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFaIVBlukFfVEBETRJyME-s3Fknrj8L5ygofaZVlU-zde2jx5eHS3OiZHRKJZ--t209BfnoUaDLN-pLMtdwx92QIAgiEBU6QgZJWBPzA815VyHGFA9ZKSxbOuE2qFBjbbmdWfgWUlFQuBMQSG545wpldMxg-SvMOv9oUM4vWk6FnWAUk3hdrxcvkuuxwrx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFaIVBlukFfVEBETRJyME-s3Fknrj8L5ygofaZVlU-zde2jx5eHS3OiZHRKJZ--t209BfnoUaDLN-pLMtdwx92QIAgiEBU6QgZJWBPzA815VyHGFA9ZKSxbOuE2qFBjbbmdWfgWUlFQuBMQSG545wpldMxg-SvMOv9oUM4vWk6FnWAUk3hdrxcvkuuxwrx=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewil5fGdWqPdOfZ41AvD6zSdNzjjIxSej5U8yarLxD1AqyU6ooTORD_sPF9ln-C7D7qgwXYaHstrkdP6CuDDQhnOPAPrl0wBfU5EosaozApKk2MhP_J7RYe9xq2G9BibP3CQCsp586A_5dh68yulnpt-7yJCh07H75RYavs4wINOKbPuPxpeMyYUVRr8g/s2816/IMG_9358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewil5fGdWqPdOfZ41AvD6zSdNzjjIxSej5U8yarLxD1AqyU6ooTORD_sPF9ln-C7D7qgwXYaHstrkdP6CuDDQhnOPAPrl0wBfU5EosaozApKk2MhP_J7RYe9xq2G9BibP3CQCsp586A_5dh68yulnpt-7yJCh07H75RYavs4wINOKbPuPxpeMyYUVRr8g/w640-h480/IMG_9358.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The property has an outdoor shower, fire pit and access to your private beach.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgZvk08kIG843_9jyOk7mznS7a9nF0fRwZRReoCCZnX-SJ87qZRw6lpiqDGHLE_4HSfkKDpFxzjaxxyKN6TB4jXFiJQ8nJt3EJaW-BSG90UH3rvalthsemyjGn4RUvC_NmbAQhuWvOpeHlFOnSJxmG8P0BF-p3cnbxU-SAOwmZLQtwrUWe3nKtD_i9uRD/s2816/IMG_9432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgZvk08kIG843_9jyOk7mznS7a9nF0fRwZRReoCCZnX-SJ87qZRw6lpiqDGHLE_4HSfkKDpFxzjaxxyKN6TB4jXFiJQ8nJt3EJaW-BSG90UH3rvalthsemyjGn4RUvC_NmbAQhuWvOpeHlFOnSJxmG8P0BF-p3cnbxU-SAOwmZLQtwrUWe3nKtD_i9uRD/w640-h480/IMG_9432.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFujiJJ7ts1XBlqf01fc3KsG-Adju-hesUidxuCtNZja5czi82bkC2A_x0TwGyd0sSYe1khheBIHQ8H0VkiDr8WbB47kdY7Kz4n1k0mVIG6TZkpy76Hvqf4LccRmgt2bf0VjbFU2K2rHX4exa2oMyJiAifRt8rIQ9qxM6gLzQGFgZoasH4PtkWcS1uWuS/s2816/IMG_9433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFujiJJ7ts1XBlqf01fc3KsG-Adju-hesUidxuCtNZja5czi82bkC2A_x0TwGyd0sSYe1khheBIHQ8H0VkiDr8WbB47kdY7Kz4n1k0mVIG6TZkpy76Hvqf4LccRmgt2bf0VjbFU2K2rHX4exa2oMyJiAifRt8rIQ9qxM6gLzQGFgZoasH4PtkWcS1uWuS/w640-h480/IMG_9433.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0GzxuszUCMx0E3YIScr6xB1NQkLWYEgwB5x1R5z8KdRNwMVqk-BJP7pI5gOwF7Z1_Tz5A7zkH2X8jr9gtnAfGW_hwGQpBdBzfi1aIwU9SRk5DoDd18KZSPAU7wwUOLqHT3B3ad6WzH6r_hooNz1LAh7gQUGcBgnQnKzPuOAuZVCgVHv-EQ07dujBx9xZ/s2816/IMG_9440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0GzxuszUCMx0E3YIScr6xB1NQkLWYEgwB5x1R5z8KdRNwMVqk-BJP7pI5gOwF7Z1_Tz5A7zkH2X8jr9gtnAfGW_hwGQpBdBzfi1aIwU9SRk5DoDd18KZSPAU7wwUOLqHT3B3ad6WzH6r_hooNz1LAh7gQUGcBgnQnKzPuOAuZVCgVHv-EQ07dujBx9xZ/w640-h480/IMG_9440.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, that's it! I love how it turned out. The owners love how it turned out! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had so much fun working on this project. I have said it before and I will say it again, I am not a trained decorator. I didn't go to school for any of this but I do love doing this kind of "work" and </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">while I linger on this earth I am grateful that I get to do what I love. I am thankful for the opportunities to help others make the spaces they live in beautiful, comfortable and inviting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zlnT0bpNPFgK3EI2LNAYEjAaTuOdJfBJVK_iPkRViLbMWZrI4woreMacjWsDqwpaP5ttY4_wWxFqjB-8lgYrZX62JB6b1eBg76wfU99mdzv9pgokI7kHPaX711Hx40HWgqtD_SCFY_lXsc47WxcuqRqBaWh-3Mb2bXLjq54CR56aCndoOlOWFqnIpojT/s12360/IMG_8515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3788" data-original-width="12360" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zlnT0bpNPFgK3EI2LNAYEjAaTuOdJfBJVK_iPkRViLbMWZrI4woreMacjWsDqwpaP5ttY4_wWxFqjB-8lgYrZX62JB6b1eBg76wfU99mdzv9pgokI7kHPaX711Hx40HWgqtD_SCFY_lXsc47WxcuqRqBaWh-3Mb2bXLjq54CR56aCndoOlOWFqnIpojT/w640-h196/IMG_8515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for visiting with me and taking the time to scroll though all these photos! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Editing is not my strong suit!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Blessings,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Jolena</span></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-66170944215753147772023-07-13T16:17:00.000-04:002023-07-13T16:17:12.052-04:00Before: A 1980's Beach House & Busy<p style="text-align: center;">Friends, it has been nine months since I've written anything for this blog! </p><p>The past three years have really done a number on me and I have often wondered if anyone even cares about little things like making a home comfortable and pretty. It seems so trivial to me at times to even consider it in light of the problems of the world so I have allowed it all to keep me quiet... at least through this medium. I've talked to you about these things before<a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2021/10/i-got-stuck.html" target="_blank"> here.</a> </p><p>God, however has given me other avenues to express myself. More about that later. Today I will just talk about one of those avenues. </p><p>I took on a big project last fall. A friend of mine purchased a beautiful, albeit dated (think 1980's) home on the ocean . The home is entered from the side. Upon opening the door the visitor was met with a long hall that spanned more than half the width of the house before being forced to turn left of right. A right turn would then reveal the ocean view. This is noting short of tragic in my opinion! </p><p>The kitchen had only one entrance and was a U-shaped layout. If someone had the fridge, oven or dishwasher open you're trapped. There was a cutout on the left so that you could at least see the view. </p><p>These photos were pulled from the original listing:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgi0CzIabNGzhA9rps7iqGEGTtFSo2Gld4AHNK1e7yl9mxv942d17rHN00jfKb8vP_ntIrZI_ag1QQzlGrdy2WmouDpXRTGUMpgM9-V28xzo4EUYpfiVWKljqDw9dqbibwzlpvSIjUuNAV8NloFg1Nj9mW-XyVzG0kKQK5Wi-5unB72Vo3Wm7LKrEgCozmJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgi0CzIabNGzhA9rps7iqGEGTtFSo2Gld4AHNK1e7yl9mxv942d17rHN00jfKb8vP_ntIrZI_ag1QQzlGrdy2WmouDpXRTGUMpgM9-V28xzo4EUYpfiVWKljqDw9dqbibwzlpvSIjUuNAV8NloFg1Nj9mW-XyVzG0kKQK5Wi-5unB72Vo3Wm7LKrEgCozmJ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> this is the hall way <b>^^^</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b> </b>behind those doors was the washer & dryer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHMTlhzFc4ju0M3eiLjhETrzQChzK4WBfWpjCtMPUyhsngptWMSY8I1dI8xeUtJg17TF4Evp4xaE0UygFGOSOlKxwFs-bHe45NBFzuWsJfOm1WQbpPgOoBxr_2fWYnOekWY1V_26LedH2CMesZ5_jp9r1Klpo-CH6c34HuyWA_UJV2K2d0pa2XYSENSLuu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHMTlhzFc4ju0M3eiLjhETrzQChzK4WBfWpjCtMPUyhsngptWMSY8I1dI8xeUtJg17TF4Evp4xaE0UygFGOSOlKxwFs-bHe45NBFzuWsJfOm1WQbpPgOoBxr_2fWYnOekWY1V_26LedH2CMesZ5_jp9r1Klpo-CH6c34HuyWA_UJV2K2d0pa2XYSENSLuu=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha2FwROds7-ll__pKVXEGFdm7CDjD4tYtrakCng4L5p1LHZxV3VbdeEARNDY3rClmEboxit6Ci0fR6iWxzNBcvFE6JnxbsGnvUlEEs0JFFobGmGxtrgP7-EOinQutQ02ao-pdorhGuoDeCgtDkfa5aTptK8akpK0VTKEJLRALyrAamu694_nazRf-g1Hdx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha2FwROds7-ll__pKVXEGFdm7CDjD4tYtrakCng4L5p1LHZxV3VbdeEARNDY3rClmEboxit6Ci0fR6iWxzNBcvFE6JnxbsGnvUlEEs0JFFobGmGxtrgP7-EOinQutQ02ao-pdorhGuoDeCgtDkfa5aTptK8akpK0VTKEJLRALyrAamu694_nazRf-g1Hdx=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1xK7omV3byZ07paSetQI3fs04wtq5yzSn_oWGjRKGC2gTBuu0BJvYvXlrA81ZRP27N7Lu6zRGkm5y3k9blA0o4N8-c_PEvuQ7EZk-QwZkTrOzM1lc2tMhpLAYU02bkyIoJhaLjY4R1ckf0evp3_cM60OQtF2dGq4-GXP5kAg05caG13C1pwc1adbrFhPw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1xK7omV3byZ07paSetQI3fs04wtq5yzSn_oWGjRKGC2gTBuu0BJvYvXlrA81ZRP27N7Lu6zRGkm5y3k9blA0o4N8-c_PEvuQ7EZk-QwZkTrOzM1lc2tMhpLAYU02bkyIoJhaLjY4R1ckf0evp3_cM60OQtF2dGq4-GXP5kAg05caG13C1pwc1adbrFhPw=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p><p>Not bad, right? But it was dated and other than the view doesn't really feel beachy to me. </p><p>The winter allowed for much planning time while we waited for work to begin. Contractors have their hands full as the force ages out and not many young ones are wanting to do this type of work. Thankfully, timing and scheduling worked well together on this project. The lag time before beginning allowed for many items to be ordered and stored so they were on sight when the project got underway.</p><p>Work to be done:</p><p>My main problem with the layout was that if I am at a beach house I want to see the beach! I don't want to be greeted by a long, dark hallway, like a ships hull-I WANT OCEAN! </p><p>Solution: Cut an entrance into the kitchen right next to the main door so you walk in the door and see the sea. </p><p>The next problem is that they are a family of seven and that kitchen was not going to cut it. They needed options. You can't trap people nor leave it that only one person at a time can comfortably work in there. </p><p>Solution: Take down walls and reconfigure the kitchen. </p><p>Full disclosure here-I am not a trained designer, I have no schooling, and no CAD software. I use graph paper and cutouts for furniture and cabinets! It's kind of like paper-dolls but more fun.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-Ew_CwcbWdb1EXfOEkaAQxm7ohAYjvWhOCY5yWzPcsZFgUF9PDGam6dU3L4Y3OvQKZfvYceWrZy6uQ3ZoIguD7c_YIHwqTgJ26nz6QdYsjwj9gaTN03Lqg7y87bExol8lXIIZJgOLBBCKxuMrkbvefnfKgs6xWmlrsrBtcu0sXtNtQkwYFqtP_czlFtt/s2048/IMG_9535.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-Ew_CwcbWdb1EXfOEkaAQxm7ohAYjvWhOCY5yWzPcsZFgUF9PDGam6dU3L4Y3OvQKZfvYceWrZy6uQ3ZoIguD7c_YIHwqTgJ26nz6QdYsjwj9gaTN03Lqg7y87bExol8lXIIZJgOLBBCKxuMrkbvefnfKgs6xWmlrsrBtcu0sXtNtQkwYFqtP_czlFtt/w480-h640/IMG_9535.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>And demolition began! Immediately I could see opening up a door in the hallway was the right decision. What a blessing to find that there was a large support beam running the width of the house! That meant the two other walls enclosing the kitchen could come down! Drywall went up quick and it was looking good! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJ00OZzfjpKfOHB3_r-YupPrn-BRXkV0fMkSHqZQy6V1DvF20zw0I6EHgzmbLGy_yVZGF8NAQWisbtVus7SuyuBcanxWrg_UQb1qozT0rqilYzkbIOsHeOvduY8S85FLX2_CVggS-0VadSHuI_vEYeVsDB0icFIdp_bGY8v1jYqc2W8jTQH_NaXsLcynz/s553/demo%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="553" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJ00OZzfjpKfOHB3_r-YupPrn-BRXkV0fMkSHqZQy6V1DvF20zw0I6EHgzmbLGy_yVZGF8NAQWisbtVus7SuyuBcanxWrg_UQb1qozT0rqilYzkbIOsHeOvduY8S85FLX2_CVggS-0VadSHuI_vEYeVsDB0icFIdp_bGY8v1jYqc2W8jTQH_NaXsLcynz/w640-h360/demo%201.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikI4Y92kFoYj2exyGCdEOZe03N1mVBYtMScakczFLx6deet8Ul_WKq_uXIrMb75xJTbaUw9ruRuEFojXiD2vAVN3yrUYVmFHUbUQj8D1cPMfh50SqU9WjQ7gZm_JoKzLz5so1gvOd-TegxWny6238JhpWk0YUtVQOLipGtpUft7aSjgMxkIZDeB_OUiy6T/s553/demo%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="553" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikI4Y92kFoYj2exyGCdEOZe03N1mVBYtMScakczFLx6deet8Ul_WKq_uXIrMb75xJTbaUw9ruRuEFojXiD2vAVN3yrUYVmFHUbUQj8D1cPMfh50SqU9WjQ7gZm_JoKzLz5so1gvOd-TegxWny6238JhpWk0YUtVQOLipGtpUft7aSjgMxkIZDeB_OUiy6T/w640-h360/demo%202.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Well, as it turned out, that beam was not spanning the entire width of the house, it was cut in two, supported by a post in the corner of the wall. A little configuring with the cabinet maker, the contractor, the owner and myself and we ended up incorporating it into what will be an unconventionally shaped island. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The sliders all had to be replaced as the seals were broken. We thought we wanted the ones with the blinds inside but that took up several inches of the view! That was NOT the effect we wanted! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPxSoZlvu2DZ9gO7fVoRoYP90YWiQSoZxGXfpvnsHiq20NrDCD7dXytOaDTSNpEAQArx8vWQS0W86Y_Agb_IyqhZ3HMILmrKGt1jnEDvh-jCLY9qGsOUfIXMAao1HpdPWBPJvjarbEJUUcpyInt4a1AfX-lZDDMukstxb010AYyETVt4q1iem3Ns16-gi/s2048/bad%20slider.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPxSoZlvu2DZ9gO7fVoRoYP90YWiQSoZxGXfpvnsHiq20NrDCD7dXytOaDTSNpEAQArx8vWQS0W86Y_Agb_IyqhZ3HMILmrKGt1jnEDvh-jCLY9qGsOUfIXMAao1HpdPWBPJvjarbEJUUcpyInt4a1AfX-lZDDMukstxb010AYyETVt4q1iem3Ns16-gi/w640-h480/bad%20slider.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>^^^</b> new slider(bad!) ^^^old slider ^^^old slider </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Can you see what we were loosing of the view? Plus they were smaller than the original and fixing the wood walls would have been a nightmare. The size we needed to fill the existing openings wasn't available, smaller wouldn't work. The husband took one look at the new slider and said we could go bigger! Whew! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">So, we went bigger! But you don't get to see that yet!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The downstairs, main floor, has two bedrooms with bunkbeds, a full bath, kitchen, living room, and dining room with a large deck facing the ocean. Upstairs in the master bath and bedroom. For this project we are focusing on the downstairs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The bathroom is getting a facelift...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvB9YPyVxFk8EshzF8Bm97yxQiZWwTGDHNyvWkTSPWAA4aDZuG847_OL_ZCocVbtwVfSW5hRtfDAEWEKGLBCcM955jUYKF1GeKivbdKll0aqmNNvF_71dEMGV5N_BzmD-iXUo0uEVnQXCAMjjhow07AfcFx_Z_IcOc4qSBAK7Pj-n0XWjCRso2gy3myRy/s2048/bathroom%201.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvB9YPyVxFk8EshzF8Bm97yxQiZWwTGDHNyvWkTSPWAA4aDZuG847_OL_ZCocVbtwVfSW5hRtfDAEWEKGLBCcM955jUYKF1GeKivbdKll0aqmNNvF_71dEMGV5N_BzmD-iXUo0uEVnQXCAMjjhow07AfcFx_Z_IcOc4qSBAK7Pj-n0XWjCRso2gy3myRy/w480-h640/bathroom%201.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTVeDGD2H7YmmAdQERXFUKh2pqkVhQ6NdFwBv-U1WMQVK890e9Bv2juEMEqSh0RKK6ukcB0rshCZyOJCPQqabwUZHJSzGWdsyBcAymPGEBwKmJwKj2LJSiEKUT0r7On8oAdgN-c01bS4mfnj2JKbWDoOA_y6UKWHyFz3HNNoosaNrxLH1xE6lUMoM5Lmj/s2048/bathroom%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTVeDGD2H7YmmAdQERXFUKh2pqkVhQ6NdFwBv-U1WMQVK890e9Bv2juEMEqSh0RKK6ukcB0rshCZyOJCPQqabwUZHJSzGWdsyBcAymPGEBwKmJwKj2LJSiEKUT0r7On8oAdgN-c01bS4mfnj2JKbWDoOA_y6UKWHyFz3HNNoosaNrxLH1xE6lUMoM5Lmj/w480-h640/bathroom%202.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So this was the beginning. The next post will show you how it turned out. From the start of demo to the last photos took about three and a half months. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I did tell you I have other things going on that have been keeping me busy, right? So here's what's been going on... </span></div><p>I got to speak at a women's conference in May about our steadfast God. We were expecting thirty-five women but prepared for fifty. "Who knows what God will do", my optimistic side quipped! Well, He shut my mouth when we had to scramble to find seating for another ten! It is so encouraging to see that so many women find encouragement and rest in the teaching of God's Word, especially in times like these.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71qjoeKIAJEg1hXB72Uj6BLd7lW2-NuFGyxcJObdw8mQ3RJnPLia61wPf__6izhdONQqGmvI2i55_8B5vqcu_Sbnc0xm_pSUe1lSJ18oOHsZug2YaDFJE14uImOTiQBDx2xKOm_kbL382anmsr03dfpt4-djgV5nML4zt9G_7w7tNI5ovdtJDy_hU_LQm/s480/women's%20conference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71qjoeKIAJEg1hXB72Uj6BLd7lW2-NuFGyxcJObdw8mQ3RJnPLia61wPf__6izhdONQqGmvI2i55_8B5vqcu_Sbnc0xm_pSUe1lSJ18oOHsZug2YaDFJE14uImOTiQBDx2xKOm_kbL382anmsr03dfpt4-djgV5nML4zt9G_7w7tNI5ovdtJDy_hU_LQm/w400-h300/women's%20conference.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbI1dwARdlZXuMfdTrJby5_J4PcW3xoBa9Hd6NNSVja6cGDFjvffW77RX_RNn1KhFRyBrtJSy3X7QHuKM4ODz4N5Z4WwH_nNgHyapkH8JF-YkiPxWO35Q41sJu86KCplsEX7d8v29NdlBM8aWLC7QFqzN18sZcp9nd5ojjzDDPIO0vzSAd3nJQSf5A3XpQ/s1843/women's%20conference%202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="1843" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbI1dwARdlZXuMfdTrJby5_J4PcW3xoBa9Hd6NNSVja6cGDFjvffW77RX_RNn1KhFRyBrtJSy3X7QHuKM4ODz4N5Z4WwH_nNgHyapkH8JF-YkiPxWO35Q41sJu86KCplsEX7d8v29NdlBM8aWLC7QFqzN18sZcp9nd5ojjzDDPIO0vzSAd3nJQSf5A3XpQ/w400-h370/women's%20conference%202.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><p>But that's not all that is going on...</p><p>My youngest daughter got engaged to a sweet young man the day after Christmas! She completed an intense one year nursing program last month and is getting married next month and moving south, as he is in the military. There has been much joy intermingled with reflection, tears, new friends, old friends and new family members.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7dPlZjUzyZidDR2ODcRm7D7K01OpP33Rg-0hhL3QVXMNf0mfQDgoi1gijqqr0aP33HUSlqP-gsM3hFuGlL3VL_z6qFMaOHcrns_nukq0WxmUWFyyakaD1oT-CA2rnRDcwNOYJl_570T5A15TsNm6RjWHOP-o92rGCm6QfnxJ4G3LsmR5Xw2Q-PyYLkw8/s2048/emi%20ring.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7dPlZjUzyZidDR2ODcRm7D7K01OpP33Rg-0hhL3QVXMNf0mfQDgoi1gijqqr0aP33HUSlqP-gsM3hFuGlL3VL_z6qFMaOHcrns_nukq0WxmUWFyyakaD1oT-CA2rnRDcwNOYJl_570T5A15TsNm6RjWHOP-o92rGCm6QfnxJ4G3LsmR5Xw2Q-PyYLkw8/w300-h400/emi%20ring.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>In a nutshell I haven't been writing much because we have found it <b><i>essential </i></b>to do life face to face, intentional, and practicing the "one anothers". </p><p>I promise all the <b>after</b> photos in the next post! Stayed tuned, this is just the beginning! </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-12747749849061841012022-10-03T17:16:00.008-04:002022-10-13T19:30:37.906-04:00Autumn Decorating- Kitchen & Dining Room 2022<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well! It is October already! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How did that happen? I was ready for fall this year (believe it or not). By the second week in September I had all my summer stuff packed away and all my fall stuff down and sorted into what I planned to use for this year. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tip:</b> You don't have to use everything you have<i> every</i> year. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tip:</b> If you've grown tired of something used in previous years leave it packed away. If you find that you haven't used it for several consecutive years (3 is a good number) only then considering passing it on to someone else. Often times I find a new way to use something old or find that I do miss it after not seeing it for a while. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJjUXeI_YlwGv9mDrpcaM7-w-JCNQp11jnlsipWPURszO9QxBHUVf0YEZi7A7u3lz5yzQx7W2HSda1PQE4lhyo_eKeDPVTTe3Ug8FaUirEhptq5JX6wHnttj0DTK7jbjLVd3aJ8ybD6JYES5CxQFdRLoqQ71MEF5IgaBlhrk4F2R6tk8qfuYO0mEy6A/s4032/IMG_4924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJjUXeI_YlwGv9mDrpcaM7-w-JCNQp11jnlsipWPURszO9QxBHUVf0YEZi7A7u3lz5yzQx7W2HSda1PQE4lhyo_eKeDPVTTe3Ug8FaUirEhptq5JX6wHnttj0DTK7jbjLVd3aJ8ybD6JYES5CxQFdRLoqQ71MEF5IgaBlhrk4F2R6tk8qfuYO0mEy6A/w640-h480/IMG_4924.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notice I do not have any of the blue pumpkins here that I used last year. They were packed back away for another time in the future. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love the designer blogs and instagram accounts that show all white pumpkins and accessories. Everything looks so tidy and pretty. I just can't bring myself to make that leap. There are certain pieces that MUST be used so a little color does factor in this year. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I started in the kitchen with the beverage center where my floating shelf is.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2022/09/floating-shelf-diy.html" target="_blank">I posted about that here. </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Everything comes down, that shelf and counter top get a good cleaning. Some of the staples will stay like the cream and sugar, coffee filters, coffee and tea pots. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mKfnrqZG-_kCImxlFDytT_tlcnjhz5hKkwUQJjeiYoZYBjlkDS3JNo2OvUVYmAiBqa2cqycOT3wSUC0BzAYCQxb3Eim-WeSYEH2PaX4yJDWPLwk4v4rR23tiyQS0DXSI9geIdob_z6YDh45HsxxPhne6r15Ci2FRweB-U--KISqL5p9PRzaB91O_Ag/s2816/IMG_8772.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mKfnrqZG-_kCImxlFDytT_tlcnjhz5hKkwUQJjeiYoZYBjlkDS3JNo2OvUVYmAiBqa2cqycOT3wSUC0BzAYCQxb3Eim-WeSYEH2PaX4yJDWPLwk4v4rR23tiyQS0DXSI9geIdob_z6YDh45HsxxPhne6r15Ci2FRweB-U--KISqL5p9PRzaB91O_Ag/w640-h480/IMG_8772.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The fireplace was next. I started with the leaves, chalkboard and pumpkins.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8EWceIVqRgqsnQyM_ZzJrvx3NzOrjgbKxR1F70dVAJEHlFXQ-MpNoVdFLzA3v3yL45NGBZn-aTN7vJY0P4QUchHXdSUryihpcauckuzOmPu7uRwHZ_B9YywBwk20qYFsG-qT2no7M_c2hsp_4n9_UmYsKP77s_zTHLwUKQ0FJ8aC2iqTpbgiwamSRw/s2816/IMG_8688.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8EWceIVqRgqsnQyM_ZzJrvx3NzOrjgbKxR1F70dVAJEHlFXQ-MpNoVdFLzA3v3yL45NGBZn-aTN7vJY0P4QUchHXdSUryihpcauckuzOmPu7uRwHZ_B9YywBwk20qYFsG-qT2no7M_c2hsp_4n9_UmYsKP77s_zTHLwUKQ0FJ8aC2iqTpbgiwamSRw/w640-h480/IMG_8688.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Add some twinkle lights while I am thinking about what to put on the chalkboard...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehKRdSXlSWFmvFov4mwAhdGIAFqSoviycYZ8AObzizlrk4juE4CF1lv0GOXp2jaNj443Wyu686CbRDVWvrhXt6PSq5FWmRbX41je0_qQrRckfkaJsrliILpIlIUAkIcUJHJ3-UADMgKcsIwrgGxWzGEDOqKySMU1QM3NKSSHQGa1LF5AatLJAcBaEZQ/s2151/IMG_8690.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2151" data-original-width="1806" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehKRdSXlSWFmvFov4mwAhdGIAFqSoviycYZ8AObzizlrk4juE4CF1lv0GOXp2jaNj443Wyu686CbRDVWvrhXt6PSq5FWmRbX41je0_qQrRckfkaJsrliILpIlIUAkIcUJHJ3-UADMgKcsIwrgGxWzGEDOqKySMU1QM3NKSSHQGa1LF5AatLJAcBaEZQ/w538-h640/IMG_8690.JPG" width="538" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Getting closer. At this point I started looking for ideas online. And, I decided to change the logs in the fireplace. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tip:</b> Take pictures along the way. Often times the mistakes or things that aren't working will show up better in the photo than while you're standing there looking at it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf0SBNFhu4BEb53_7-gHueEvHI9DACZrhnMCgkaxTCL-EyWCm9YhNF_lMnTQWgfJGijtDlqkzF9Pc6eM9CvPq726qHYLsbHvokzO81-JAlkmYjKitXcntCcviNBePuU3NLTE75sTbD4p2Q-aOHYGujBE4LlWWEtlbeQpCtwRSrojR517c_E6vgWi-5g/s4032/IMG_5060.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf0SBNFhu4BEb53_7-gHueEvHI9DACZrhnMCgkaxTCL-EyWCm9YhNF_lMnTQWgfJGijtDlqkzF9Pc6eM9CvPq726qHYLsbHvokzO81-JAlkmYjKitXcntCcviNBePuU3NLTE75sTbD4p2Q-aOHYGujBE4LlWWEtlbeQpCtwRSrojR517c_E6vgWi-5g/w480-h640/IMG_5060.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbL3cYbcpCwRvkGpsWWJJdbeMCYszVCqi0meFbvf_2uuG9l-l0BOSkV16czeIr_bmUIYRlHeKR1boTfVodvnfZarHH-4se46UwmLGltNxN8SjfU7IjGO0cvPhHCaXijG_3xyBvrfmRZNIYVIHxSiMMis3PEF1OiogUyhtwBkGD_PBBeUXx0f6D1452w/s2816/IMG_8785.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbL3cYbcpCwRvkGpsWWJJdbeMCYszVCqi0meFbvf_2uuG9l-l0BOSkV16czeIr_bmUIYRlHeKR1boTfVodvnfZarHH-4se46UwmLGltNxN8SjfU7IjGO0cvPhHCaXijG_3xyBvrfmRZNIYVIHxSiMMis3PEF1OiogUyhtwBkGD_PBBeUXx0f6D1452w/w640-h480/IMG_8785.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Notice that the order of the pumpkins changed a bit as did the candles. When I looked at the photo I could see what looked a bit off to me and adjusted. The fire looks a lot better, I think. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I freehanded that and the <i style="font-weight: bold;">thankful </i>piece referencing photos I had taken or found online.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On the dining table I opted for my woven jute runner and an old breadboard that has been used in several rooms in my home over the years. This year I used it to corral a small gathering of pumpkins and candles.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAkVZbJ9qRZqNUrET_jXzA4NzyjXy0ebbwZch_X6Trk8wMCRjRZB8NCxeZu1INw4Nq4iMG_QwH0edfEhy4syDAyhiLD3btU30eGmtSV9fragm0QCayH1mIfOhsY2wUFdIS6H9aJKuM6VAPg7bL38aTJW98D70cypOcGX1tiPWDTu1OdFu_NqkNkHnug/s2816/IMG_8736.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAkVZbJ9qRZqNUrET_jXzA4NzyjXy0ebbwZch_X6Trk8wMCRjRZB8NCxeZu1INw4Nq4iMG_QwH0edfEhy4syDAyhiLD3btU30eGmtSV9fragm0QCayH1mIfOhsY2wUFdIS6H9aJKuM6VAPg7bL38aTJW98D70cypOcGX1tiPWDTu1OdFu_NqkNkHnug/w640-h480/IMG_8736.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdak_ZqXCjDx7WlYkAO8wu3Lx9y3927bEzXSdM7VTRw-Tjz5OvR9ppbZbJWQNis5xjMdtHHjx51RpF2PdVRoPH75sAIGJKJPjIfyVtj5JcEWgdfRPSxrMMTR9SRW0UCGBb8t27Hib1w3DXNMNwF3ESKzcn6bZr-z5P1Gdi6YQ11lGO9X8--G06F6v6Q/s4032/IMG_5065.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdak_ZqXCjDx7WlYkAO8wu3Lx9y3927bEzXSdM7VTRw-Tjz5OvR9ppbZbJWQNis5xjMdtHHjx51RpF2PdVRoPH75sAIGJKJPjIfyVtj5JcEWgdfRPSxrMMTR9SRW0UCGBb8t27Hib1w3DXNMNwF3ESKzcn6bZr-z5P1Gdi6YQ11lGO9X8--G06F6v6Q/w360-h640/IMG_5065.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Chunky orange candles were added after looking at it for a while. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYkGB9nA2Ikvp03rXWOfVGVejO3eh2Rv-bO_PfqqvmZdKCchLvCoyTfj0L8qZF_Ydb-eiG6kuyRtiUCFtWQepiu4Xmfa3c6_6ZwT7HhuXGoxe3A9VtLb6ASJchCYpH4yBorzlbdTSAJoLRG6wauGQlCCzLC438MpHZebrS0Gg5jybfUhkh1MpbwxN2Q/s2816/IMG_8790.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYkGB9nA2Ikvp03rXWOfVGVejO3eh2Rv-bO_PfqqvmZdKCchLvCoyTfj0L8qZF_Ydb-eiG6kuyRtiUCFtWQepiu4Xmfa3c6_6ZwT7HhuXGoxe3A9VtLb6ASJchCYpH4yBorzlbdTSAJoLRG6wauGQlCCzLC438MpHZebrS0Gg5jybfUhkh1MpbwxN2Q/w480-h640/IMG_8790.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzQtLZk-8LusDmtZMI4086IwgBJzhPvI9MXCXp-zyqnoRFrTkL6BCKMXhbPTDc8js8Bvv1Udxu5pdq_asMDW2k1ZBsSt6oEnpGUEp7UVtq5FdneR0bFbhXgXINcNILatGsR7WpPkxVCyR3D5ODXkLaSg3si35QTqMht4raqhM3F-pPe6cbV3vaoht6A/s2816/IMG_8775.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzQtLZk-8LusDmtZMI4086IwgBJzhPvI9MXCXp-zyqnoRFrTkL6BCKMXhbPTDc8js8Bvv1Udxu5pdq_asMDW2k1ZBsSt6oEnpGUEp7UVtq5FdneR0bFbhXgXINcNILatGsR7WpPkxVCyR3D5ODXkLaSg3si35QTqMht4raqhM3F-pPe6cbV3vaoht6A/w480-h640/IMG_8775.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of my grandmother's paintings was added to the front of the plate rack. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3GGyqPEJkOL8u1Go73gCYG0LUejaEiXSc25RtDLzASa85avSbRR5Q4jAzlrFimzbDJpApKzBJZCCuFiB2Aa1auF0WX0_t_R2bN2EVfsW69ENnIaQ33UIguWnOIhasTJj5OZqSuRQeDVqC7LctNqD1ujgbVnAilD3y-iHxJ-e6l_lsx_K-Imb0SASMA/s4032/IMG_4970.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3GGyqPEJkOL8u1Go73gCYG0LUejaEiXSc25RtDLzASa85avSbRR5Q4jAzlrFimzbDJpApKzBJZCCuFiB2Aa1auF0WX0_t_R2bN2EVfsW69ENnIaQ33UIguWnOIhasTJj5OZqSuRQeDVqC7LctNqD1ujgbVnAilD3y-iHxJ-e6l_lsx_K-Imb0SASMA/w480-h640/IMG_4970.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Ready for entertaining! Well, almost. I moved on to the living room next but I will save that for the next time you stop by. I am so glad you dropped in today. Hope you found some inspiration.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy Fall! </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy Decorating! </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Linking up to these parties: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://katherinescorner.com/2022/10/13/autumn-style-and-the-tft-blog-hop/" target="_blank">Katherine's Corner</a><br /><a href="https://grammysgrid.com/unlimited-link-party-84/" target="_blank">Grammy's Grid</a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /><p>.</p>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-72809461372803511932022-09-23T11:12:00.000-04:002022-09-23T11:12:25.057-04:00Floating Shelf DIY<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Something is always changing in my home. Since we completed <b><a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2014/09/kitchen-reveal.html" target="_blank">our kitchen renovation in 2014</a></b> I have struggled with the open shelves. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgELSRbM5EHssbPH-pFe3tZAPIEATpVFIhblUZE-Ywa1fX-IDv_0TRG4yBScRuq545a5LIs7QkKHq13xbGDcr8-H_vkPiOTecK0AmUhT5y5PruUh4uo8RADJT_mBjdt9OawH0EhbD755z/s640/no+shelf+2014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgELSRbM5EHssbPH-pFe3tZAPIEATpVFIhblUZE-Ywa1fX-IDv_0TRG4yBScRuq545a5LIs7QkKHq13xbGDcr8-H_vkPiOTecK0AmUhT5y5PruUh4uo8RADJT_mBjdt9OawH0EhbD755z/w640-h480/no+shelf+2014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVj2KJFF8ycqJEYq0bZuuHS8dVfdTZEOPBcYdHvrQLyWAZgHEe4c8sJP3yodQVbU9Y17MfKzKYqYu6G213KcUZBoU-vEEbToTnYIHE1xl3Zup3Qn2a4sVz6jZMKnHLSJhYmBdxgH5TPWe/s640/summer+kitchen+2016+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="426" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVj2KJFF8ycqJEYq0bZuuHS8dVfdTZEOPBcYdHvrQLyWAZgHEe4c8sJP3yodQVbU9Y17MfKzKYqYu6G213KcUZBoU-vEEbToTnYIHE1xl3Zup3Qn2a4sVz6jZMKnHLSJhYmBdxgH5TPWe/w426-h640/summer+kitchen+2016+%25281%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7gSYX4tuM_fonfkLvHIIqXV1bYgLw4DcJEtsyslJBemOR5qRMVs6Peu3LqBW_X0SvBhi2lhUXO0OIT5aEZ8M32ra4V34DUZmb9JoB8GpBxMJ8yioBNx25ZhzXJLPr12s2zq4da2wgNp7/s1600/summer+kitchen+2016+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7gSYX4tuM_fonfkLvHIIqXV1bYgLw4DcJEtsyslJBemOR5qRMVs6Peu3LqBW_X0SvBhi2lhUXO0OIT5aEZ8M32ra4V34DUZmb9JoB8GpBxMJ8yioBNx25ZhzXJLPr12s2zq4da2wgNp7/w640-h480/summer+kitchen+2016+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First, they were next to the window. Then, I moved them to the adjacent wall. I took no pictures of that! It didn't last long until....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We painted that wall with chalk paint and removed the brackets. (They were only ornamental.) </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNU4xpalkvQng7jYR6Gt_1VoApUZPQyYx9d1B-J0yCrnfaMAwNp9RZKRkf3a8-dpTfnwoOWWhWkQAZnoeNXsI-RPErMJcolKc2_hp5sTOcmGSwLBRfyp1p1FSOKr6BDm126Ne0VRSFBmH/s640/chalkboard+wall+fall+2020.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="640" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNU4xpalkvQng7jYR6Gt_1VoApUZPQyYx9d1B-J0yCrnfaMAwNp9RZKRkf3a8-dpTfnwoOWWhWkQAZnoeNXsI-RPErMJcolKc2_hp5sTOcmGSwLBRfyp1p1FSOKr6BDm126Ne0VRSFBmH/w640-h582/chalkboard+wall+fall+2020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSAR9IchGyhJRvayXhtF-4lDC4-_x5pZjWqjDWn3tsAQqtSmpC-MwiiHsaJccDqXBxIgq1ytNta_9xsUTV3Y-9wA2WtIpWp5NTAps_rFYzX4xaRzsWwHZGwvxPucJ5hedvIJglcVndMdX/s639/chalkboard+wall+kitchen+2020.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="620" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSAR9IchGyhJRvayXhtF-4lDC4-_x5pZjWqjDWn3tsAQqtSmpC-MwiiHsaJccDqXBxIgq1ytNta_9xsUTV3Y-9wA2WtIpWp5NTAps_rFYzX4xaRzsWwHZGwvxPucJ5hedvIJglcVndMdX/w620-h640/chalkboard+wall+kitchen+2020.JPG" width="620" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And still I was not thrilled.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismNX8wSInYoeb23g1ATDNkGvTyWyN14BQYG9DIP29VTLlQR_iAyMsPGibO9ehwKgBnWPSfMABPndPFVcArlJAHk4srvqvCU99V56s0GI28Cwk1Fn6xVPzo79PGSlVnGWJ61VrCNep3RHa/s2048/IMG_4834.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismNX8wSInYoeb23g1ATDNkGvTyWyN14BQYG9DIP29VTLlQR_iAyMsPGibO9ehwKgBnWPSfMABPndPFVcArlJAHk4srvqvCU99V56s0GI28Cwk1Fn6xVPzo79PGSlVnGWJ61VrCNep3RHa/w640-h640/IMG_4834.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I finally got Mister on board to build a floating shelf. I have to draw it out because he needs a visual. Believe it or not my chicken scratch makes sense to him! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9N-vfjguLleoC_N08n8LtR9eO9FeWBg7HZJPjznMA07-Ygt1Xp4cAvZIXvsaAUp3bGMxDSbB-fD8-cWkL3L1TzLWTbqgEtB_J3D5rQhHoqlFFlAcRZzudqfBb6dvSXoiUw7CFRRIpeh2s/s2612/DSC04469.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1520" data-original-width="2612" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9N-vfjguLleoC_N08n8LtR9eO9FeWBg7HZJPjznMA07-Ygt1Xp4cAvZIXvsaAUp3bGMxDSbB-fD8-cWkL3L1TzLWTbqgEtB_J3D5rQhHoqlFFlAcRZzudqfBb6dvSXoiUw7CFRRIpeh2s/w400-h233/DSC04469.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KMsXG9o7jeGJ9rR9oD7Ar7wOIZEeyW7QupdkJU8BOEzz1Ce1Fh-Ytjsdq-3vIqx2wxDuiAyhnb6cxgDvo-gPSJeULpvp2eJekl1LTMDAfnmSvu-RRNbd2kPpF_mXJiph4y7x4lwTi5-c/s3076/DSC04472.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3076" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KMsXG9o7jeGJ9rR9oD7Ar7wOIZEeyW7QupdkJU8BOEzz1Ce1Fh-Ytjsdq-3vIqx2wxDuiAyhnb6cxgDvo-gPSJeULpvp2eJekl1LTMDAfnmSvu-RRNbd2kPpF_mXJiph4y7x4lwTi5-c/w400-h323/DSC04472.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He built the bracket that will support the shelf. It is anchored into the wall. This shelf will wrap around in an L-shape. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5dNhjNL1aAy9zkOMcqNL-gIZiMgUDm9ue5RjM5EJj8SPqdPMwU5r2nNnms0tnFtOrzZ3k2sNg4oAPLvQPdt9zykK0znsCCKdIJPtiQLjSsbDiHoe-miiek7Kn2Z3UtILkh_8_HkpW1P6/s2048/IMG_4835.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5dNhjNL1aAy9zkOMcqNL-gIZiMgUDm9ue5RjM5EJj8SPqdPMwU5r2nNnms0tnFtOrzZ3k2sNg4oAPLvQPdt9zykK0znsCCKdIJPtiQLjSsbDiHoe-miiek7Kn2Z3UtILkh_8_HkpW1P6/w480-h640/IMG_4835.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxevVbu9aOAYkw_1RxUjkAe37MsiJvmCtqiGrHYKPvK7RRozK4s6nCthUJZiAffANZUy8ueSkXvWNv0rmrvQLhzxAhBik-WSk7S86FE_HgasZwUy5-aIRAHNL3whnZ5BpjzHL8VabSCNi/s6000/DSC04462.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxevVbu9aOAYkw_1RxUjkAe37MsiJvmCtqiGrHYKPvK7RRozK4s6nCthUJZiAffANZUy8ueSkXvWNv0rmrvQLhzxAhBik-WSk7S86FE_HgasZwUy5-aIRAHNL3whnZ5BpjzHL8VabSCNi/w640-h426/DSC04462.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Next up we placed the top and bottom boards to conceal the structural pieces. We used these clamps to get it set before any screws were put in.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rNlw2HNXLZOriY7xVHZRZQeR5l7bePcOO7kMTadqo9lw7ZXC4l0Gq77ryevRUWFLaHr-97Nq5UK09qlDA91zj7SHpQBMFFzROdXveHxCCDc3NAPGdXeJj-SwUMiadTJ1WazKfZMwrm2K/s6000/DSC04464.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rNlw2HNXLZOriY7xVHZRZQeR5l7bePcOO7kMTadqo9lw7ZXC4l0Gq77ryevRUWFLaHr-97Nq5UK09qlDA91zj7SHpQBMFFzROdXveHxCCDc3NAPGdXeJj-SwUMiadTJ1WazKfZMwrm2K/w640-h426/DSC04464.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fWPrTh2DK4AwNmq2nK4NrJpvItodB4hatCVm7edemVXFxer8Z-ZG7-CutQJIJT-rVerBeh57o7I_Zwk3Ro-rnzdpBS7LbG3rq7KvKZv5NMLcByWfXP3K_sGhke-LRAWrv2gp6J7E25zc/s2048/IMG_4836.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fWPrTh2DK4AwNmq2nK4NrJpvItodB4hatCVm7edemVXFxer8Z-ZG7-CutQJIJT-rVerBeh57o7I_Zwk3Ro-rnzdpBS7LbG3rq7KvKZv5NMLcByWfXP3K_sGhke-LRAWrv2gp6J7E25zc/w480-h640/IMG_4836.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFx53d0cYHWCzfd9El34Dlraud1LzdGP-XKmr_QbX7v9K6tvajwtClBgfAU3jKQRBygNbZzTy56B5s2ml4L26dryy-Ezp18RAqww-ad1YLm8kxrFRzBhhi-_WuCEtd4jOuUmBHOS81cIGf/s6000/DSC04464.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFx53d0cYHWCzfd9El34Dlraud1LzdGP-XKmr_QbX7v9K6tvajwtClBgfAU3jKQRBygNbZzTy56B5s2ml4L26dryy-Ezp18RAqww-ad1YLm8kxrFRzBhhi-_WuCEtd4jOuUmBHOS81cIGf/w640-h426/DSC04464.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Even though I can't see the top of the shelf or under it (unless I look up under) I do not want screw heads showing so Mister used these.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUvQ2-wEJ0dKbPDEltIQuytKD-0KKk69E4LKhGPc0pTE-4dFZ6dsCPsxJFMhu2klJVXsYvOWGY85ieEfYwY5h8JbAf_0576D2cwJyMj1BDuiF7fEmLE3_JlIjX1PWJALGiRYWUFpnIsHr/s2048/IMG_4839.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUvQ2-wEJ0dKbPDEltIQuytKD-0KKk69E4LKhGPc0pTE-4dFZ6dsCPsxJFMhu2klJVXsYvOWGY85ieEfYwY5h8JbAf_0576D2cwJyMj1BDuiF7fEmLE3_JlIjX1PWJALGiRYWUFpnIsHr/w480-h640/IMG_4839.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vtopXqlCYR2nZ-M9htIdA1Ge2mAyNQq6tUuyiKUTTr-G4tVkB6Nw5tYKGBv8HIvXHvLRSarjSw47D09W_ChDbUwiRVqdw_I6r_iEmqKAgdv2q_cIpxaYePtMtMNod-6WgHF9Gdbt5D4E/s2048/IMG_4840.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vtopXqlCYR2nZ-M9htIdA1Ge2mAyNQq6tUuyiKUTTr-G4tVkB6Nw5tYKGBv8HIvXHvLRSarjSw47D09W_ChDbUwiRVqdw_I6r_iEmqKAgdv2q_cIpxaYePtMtMNod-6WgHF9Gdbt5D4E/w400-h300/IMG_4840.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Poor picture but you get the idea.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfISne7C-ePvPFkbYuIVg7s_7t-P7TtMwxGTczNcW7-jdieiuNZS-FdaWid1FJ0-0KVefKLg9eCDIlUNv7cPjfchiZ9H6K6c9Vn4rmiwijaiEnoXpwJagOIITWmWCgdfDf5vpnMlaGYcBy/s2048/IMG_4847.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1539" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfISne7C-ePvPFkbYuIVg7s_7t-P7TtMwxGTczNcW7-jdieiuNZS-FdaWid1FJ0-0KVefKLg9eCDIlUNv7cPjfchiZ9H6K6c9Vn4rmiwijaiEnoXpwJagOIITWmWCgdfDf5vpnMlaGYcBy/w300-h400/IMG_4847.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The face of the shelf, which is really the part that is seen, is the big deal here for me. I don't want to see end cuts or raw edges which means mitered cuts for Mister. Mitered cuts on an old house are always a challenge but since we did make this kitchen from scratch we had an easier time. Again, I don't want to see screws or nails so Mister glued the face pieces on and clamped them in place. The mitered edges were glued together. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXAt4QAxmR9KToQtCe229k2hiVAjGVGP6A5_RMiPaxL_9vYqCLuoxy1d6Z_eAvhPgA6ZWavV0qfxqIORoASj_4sSdDKORWuuKKZGSg1t3OZq4KcPAefHzgxIZaNAnxtN_KBwUuHTIeh0B/s2048/IMG_4843.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXAt4QAxmR9KToQtCe229k2hiVAjGVGP6A5_RMiPaxL_9vYqCLuoxy1d6Z_eAvhPgA6ZWavV0qfxqIORoASj_4sSdDKORWuuKKZGSg1t3OZq4KcPAefHzgxIZaNAnxtN_KBwUuHTIeh0B/w640-h640/IMG_4843.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We used painters tape to keep them drawn into place along with the clamps.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOs9spHOgC0pg-JxmJZnxie7xBWwwJJMGcOcfEYQ1-dSdYVkJdCszyfDgI2syYFdfqXI0CeCsyuUOxAms1VrnjTbQKtN3ZDmX3WwqD8Z0vbmAdTaTxP8p0T3mvaGw7EfcR-M9HbESNGJkU/s2048/IMG_4851.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOs9spHOgC0pg-JxmJZnxie7xBWwwJJMGcOcfEYQ1-dSdYVkJdCszyfDgI2syYFdfqXI0CeCsyuUOxAms1VrnjTbQKtN3ZDmX3WwqD8Z0vbmAdTaTxP8p0T3mvaGw7EfcR-M9HbESNGJkU/w640-h640/IMG_4851.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i0ZEHJaQXOQcnuBSadQ27dIQjQ8vA8sxKE3F9zeznSdQXWRMkxQ25hyGyOPwLBBhh4Npzk5mz3dqowwXtGwNT-4E-0ocG-Pq9zT9zd9o9OjZYvO3bQNQTG8nIiRG-JTDElsGB9SOYm3a/s2048/IMG_4856.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i0ZEHJaQXOQcnuBSadQ27dIQjQ8vA8sxKE3F9zeznSdQXWRMkxQ25hyGyOPwLBBhh4Npzk5mz3dqowwXtGwNT-4E-0ocG-Pq9zT9zd9o9OjZYvO3bQNQTG8nIiRG-JTDElsGB9SOYm3a/w480-h640/IMG_4856.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqIHCJgHH9UHxEyIb85-EBETOiF69GwF8-7S2WkcStYA8XSOYh-nJoDHeF-nMpr9QAiVjGovYjXZ3a0RRy_ZKlQ_-xZpv4qYlbNHx_bChl5K3mzYOn8I3Fe4oHWrHK3NICXabPA0bgn8O/s2048/IMG_4858.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqIHCJgHH9UHxEyIb85-EBETOiF69GwF8-7S2WkcStYA8XSOYh-nJoDHeF-nMpr9QAiVjGovYjXZ3a0RRy_ZKlQ_-xZpv4qYlbNHx_bChl5K3mzYOn8I3Fe4oHWrHK3NICXabPA0bgn8O/w640-h640/IMG_4858.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It was allowed to dry for 48 hours. Excessive? Maybe but I don't want it popping off. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile I found a combination of stains to match the original wood beam in the kitchen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6ihpRrJyoZMWp4AfNywqRUb_-v6Pmswv2frIa_UQwv40lemcQv_eytV_001IhYimN_LqjxKcn_DudXlM3zaL_dmDjxNOso9Ouvbha2tEUdVWP4hUSwsKBvbGDq9BgimrpHse8oUKEvFO/s6000/DSC04503.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6ihpRrJyoZMWp4AfNywqRUb_-v6Pmswv2frIa_UQwv40lemcQv_eytV_001IhYimN_LqjxKcn_DudXlM3zaL_dmDjxNOso9Ouvbha2tEUdVWP4hUSwsKBvbGDq9BgimrpHse8oUKEvFO/w426-h640/DSC04503.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And the chalkboard wall got painted. Once that was dry I taped off around the shelf to protect the walls and stained the shelf. After that dried I sealed it. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGHZtEopqFvoBtCGgylqOR55LuYem8OrK3GyhN7VbiONQJLetzZar_RzPrqPL61JvTi61ORpvTZ1U34oxNtSDpS0W9Pf8k9Lb4NvP2OuBIwjHeln0S4Af8BJDUaHAiCXsT66s_1ypvitB/s2048/IMG_4918.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGHZtEopqFvoBtCGgylqOR55LuYem8OrK3GyhN7VbiONQJLetzZar_RzPrqPL61JvTi61ORpvTZ1U34oxNtSDpS0W9Pf8k9Lb4NvP2OuBIwjHeln0S4Af8BJDUaHAiCXsT66s_1ypvitB/w480-h640/IMG_4918.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjvvCo2gyMhCqkZMecdQvLyEyJpSRj0I1fLeL35ypj_zMAuuLlICtRRYh-mxKjxObEWQXjRQBPEAQCjpjy_iFkgrs6zIp7il7NhAbKupqMWB6aV9Y6wXTP7aX6Qs85Zr2XQHbuzmEuwoD/s2048/IMG_4921.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjvvCo2gyMhCqkZMecdQvLyEyJpSRj0I1fLeL35ypj_zMAuuLlICtRRYh-mxKjxObEWQXjRQBPEAQCjpjy_iFkgrs6zIp7il7NhAbKupqMWB6aV9Y6wXTP7aX6Qs85Zr2XQHbuzmEuwoD/w640-h480/IMG_4921.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I allowed the stain and sealer to dry for over a week. I didn't want anything getting stuck to the top or messing up the finish.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We did this project during the pandemic. It's first season was Autumn.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here is how it was decorated then. Ready for tea, coffee or a glass of wine with friends and family. Then it got the Christmas touch. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, what do you think? Is there a floating shelf in your future? Let me know if you decide to give it try.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbI3302IjHJ6wkUSfcXSD01JHWhrMclV3Wx0ce_gpslCOwTPISpCwDEW7mlmLQA9rDA21YHK9KtVU1YGytG5SUXnaw-oygQXbFjQO2w1x5Mt0RPiXS67TjDSfGF02VvUNjEyVSjqOOIDU/s3024/IMG_1775.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2327" data-original-width="3024" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbI3302IjHJ6wkUSfcXSD01JHWhrMclV3Wx0ce_gpslCOwTPISpCwDEW7mlmLQA9rDA21YHK9KtVU1YGytG5SUXnaw-oygQXbFjQO2w1x5Mt0RPiXS67TjDSfGF02VvUNjEyVSjqOOIDU/w640-h492/IMG_1775.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LcqTWyi6xD6L_pduZnypGSq9o5gDimsCXxr8rycVFuzYrX04sw5AB9BRbNIPnSDpqCMEhsf6DSRbfKnnV32PYsHcAk379t0gjwsmzDONewuZHwgRsvfPnjccw1AkTQC-DDo-PtFdqhD1YgbSQFhITFvTgw2I7k-sYBB_0PHZw0r_3I6zAn0m6Ce-0w/s2087/IMG_8376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1868" data-original-width="2087" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LcqTWyi6xD6L_pduZnypGSq9o5gDimsCXxr8rycVFuzYrX04sw5AB9BRbNIPnSDpqCMEhsf6DSRbfKnnV32PYsHcAk379t0gjwsmzDONewuZHwgRsvfPnjccw1AkTQC-DDo-PtFdqhD1YgbSQFhITFvTgw2I7k-sYBB_0PHZw0r_3I6zAn0m6Ce-0w/w640-h572/IMG_8376.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you for spending time with me today. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope you found some ideas you can use in your own home.</span></div>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-5297671001497523942021-12-21T12:43:00.003-05:002021-12-31T09:32:44.197-05:00Christmas 2021<p> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Merry Christmas </p><p style="text-align: center;">Friends, it has definitely been another strange year and still nobody seems to know where we are heading or how to fix things. Many of us find ourselves feeling overwhelmed by hopelessness, despair and sadness for the loss of what used to be. How appropriate that in the middle of all these things that are out of my control the Lord brings my eyes to focus on the important things; my family, my home, my friends and the most importantly... himself. </p><p style="text-align: center;">With those things in mind I pressed on and readied our home for the celebration of the birth of Christ Jesus. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBVyvDfRPiKEBIQg64pyTxMEswFLZ04VWA_T4nArfDAD4abJATymRsHw6UF81kusfwQCU-_ZqUiO3RpKOGnW0Tv1J1YD8-xWvcZCqLfJyrN4tGpgrzDF3xY0oM5qcq1FWUCH5A-1kN5NdLv50QkrRqxsUlV2EKeEkXDjefiH0aqkmFyEfxm7j3PbMHqQ=s2816" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBVyvDfRPiKEBIQg64pyTxMEswFLZ04VWA_T4nArfDAD4abJATymRsHw6UF81kusfwQCU-_ZqUiO3RpKOGnW0Tv1J1YD8-xWvcZCqLfJyrN4tGpgrzDF3xY0oM5qcq1FWUCH5A-1kN5NdLv50QkrRqxsUlV2EKeEkXDjefiH0aqkmFyEfxm7j3PbMHqQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9H1k8A0tfGZQBqfIdWSOlDBKVFxwf7iPHSmDq6kBY0xk5LUtbgEdY4oCDWI7GOz1p4mvTyheMBGTOzwghpAj49Zgox_T3FITuIe3kucExFeuNn3atzQ5GVLLTLlp8rQ5QXXwgembQw0Hhng61hKmMD0ZM14S0RIRzvI-GeJUNxQV-yoCs-Wt3TpWOXw=s2505" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2505" data-original-width="2100" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9H1k8A0tfGZQBqfIdWSOlDBKVFxwf7iPHSmDq6kBY0xk5LUtbgEdY4oCDWI7GOz1p4mvTyheMBGTOzwghpAj49Zgox_T3FITuIe3kucExFeuNn3atzQ5GVLLTLlp8rQ5QXXwgembQw0Hhng61hKmMD0ZM14S0RIRzvI-GeJUNxQV-yoCs-Wt3TpWOXw=w536-h640" width="536" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do you choose a theme every year? I chose my theme for 2021 at the end of 2020. I do that so that I can take advantage of after-Christmas sales and clearances. Last year I was feeling nostalgic and this year even more so. I decided to use my collection of nutcrackers; some old, some new. In November I dug out my nutcrackers and plaid & red velvet ribbon and then Mister and I promptly proceeded to get sick.... like cancel Thanksgiving sick and everything was on hold for 2 whole weeks!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> It took the wind out of our sails but we pressed on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEht5NXOrYJUxdLa-nZGUb-Q8jhCT9l7sf5i5vS4coJ4xWCoeOpLliMFBMhtFgG0xNZYdAn-JwtgditK9GG2C8Dh9tb4MmnA2pNO3zHEdBW_b-bU2rgHnDCX-Zd1_yXHTHVZqDbUXwVmklQB6HFIOMrRHE0VDtMYJQSpBEc98EGMvdoqmK1vd1TcQbenGw=s3664" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3664" data-original-width="3007" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEht5NXOrYJUxdLa-nZGUb-Q8jhCT9l7sf5i5vS4coJ4xWCoeOpLliMFBMhtFgG0xNZYdAn-JwtgditK9GG2C8Dh9tb4MmnA2pNO3zHEdBW_b-bU2rgHnDCX-Zd1_yXHTHVZqDbUXwVmklQB6HFIOMrRHE0VDtMYJQSpBEc98EGMvdoqmK1vd1TcQbenGw=w526-h640" width="526" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8HoYAvCAt6hiPPdLSoA5FyF4LrylCTEHLTULkJ8BNHkaXuGQbRhHR4YYt1oLBHz7pJVSLU8kIUyDRvql4DzpWhU-3Br-ohGiA6Yq23lNDqd3ShkLAHAYAKAXaRbszAqh6YL7sxYix08a7z6Bn6Ue_YX6drgwiyJm7ME89c8X7D0AWpzzT4c6E6jOIjg=s2816" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8HoYAvCAt6hiPPdLSoA5FyF4LrylCTEHLTULkJ8BNHkaXuGQbRhHR4YYt1oLBHz7pJVSLU8kIUyDRvql4DzpWhU-3Br-ohGiA6Yq23lNDqd3ShkLAHAYAKAXaRbszAqh6YL7sxYix08a7z6Bn6Ue_YX6drgwiyJm7ME89c8X7D0AWpzzT4c6E6jOIjg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNP16LjvlpXmt0mNvk4xSpxGVgDHSbv7IixNnGO_Pt3IogOKIC1uS-_EZIzyN-g5n8NI-emt2b5wa2Hd7GGQIR0vNAk1lG-Ol0apHrek2IC74Ij1uydtRowx5rWT8oLrc-aKc2YisHk7wfDT6wQv9Zx9uJY4NTHlHVHTjpxKlt2p9rnn-d_CulKQiLNQ=s2334" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2334" data-original-width="2069" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNP16LjvlpXmt0mNvk4xSpxGVgDHSbv7IixNnGO_Pt3IogOKIC1uS-_EZIzyN-g5n8NI-emt2b5wa2Hd7GGQIR0vNAk1lG-Ol0apHrek2IC74Ij1uydtRowx5rWT8oLrc-aKc2YisHk7wfDT6wQv9Zx9uJY4NTHlHVHTjpxKlt2p9rnn-d_CulKQiLNQ=w568-h640" width="568" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAFOKLRwHHyBE8QmQwQFQHN7lCsdvO8OfQwwziRBhf3pu013O8E7JJq3TQd1Sl7RxyhtoAxzBOSRcaHE_ao9ytuD1wsQ8FIvR-pbyXacFfBHCBE7BZkldg6aIPaGZgrYKnaGhG5dNMl53DIKiGYZT913jzlSeFgosT6vMHlBji6X1DLG1q4b4kOmP04Q=s2816" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAFOKLRwHHyBE8QmQwQFQHN7lCsdvO8OfQwwziRBhf3pu013O8E7JJq3TQd1Sl7RxyhtoAxzBOSRcaHE_ao9ytuD1wsQ8FIvR-pbyXacFfBHCBE7BZkldg6aIPaGZgrYKnaGhG5dNMl53DIKiGYZT913jzlSeFgosT6vMHlBji6X1DLG1q4b4kOmP04Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1j0CWcAtHFaen7mmTcwYRBEiHzRaOtPgOEnP5dZQgoS4opmNe8Eco7pKCo_fKudB2bEy9TANuK_e98CnQ2wzxdZTdO5YlyozBf-B95Z-2bHTGOJdFREABodU0ehSCyFz9gYSw4eOLU1xXWgFAa7duvxtVY_AeSYRdaNualbl-aejM0MoHiWTJJLg_qg=s1064" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="1064" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1j0CWcAtHFaen7mmTcwYRBEiHzRaOtPgOEnP5dZQgoS4opmNe8Eco7pKCo_fKudB2bEy9TANuK_e98CnQ2wzxdZTdO5YlyozBf-B95Z-2bHTGOJdFREABodU0ehSCyFz9gYSw4eOLU1xXWgFAa7duvxtVY_AeSYRdaNualbl-aejM0MoHiWTJJLg_qg=w640-h502" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvQJNaHkWTHskxptTfSr3qfHsbuumuQNT7IQaEyjma4sqh_dZYFAd_sLgkmq2MGW4-nOH-OaJH5aAYAKo7DuPd2Zyd8QV2C2czwTVNTA9XOoGXhME9I5wcWImxjqeK2Jf1LSX2Sw4GYbQLA0T0r0BCgdE9QIFaRC_Q0J_htIVN5Ys2BDISheCV49codQ=s2420" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2420" data-original-width="1773" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvQJNaHkWTHskxptTfSr3qfHsbuumuQNT7IQaEyjma4sqh_dZYFAd_sLgkmq2MGW4-nOH-OaJH5aAYAKo7DuPd2Zyd8QV2C2czwTVNTA9XOoGXhME9I5wcWImxjqeK2Jf1LSX2Sw4GYbQLA0T0r0BCgdE9QIFaRC_Q0J_htIVN5Ys2BDISheCV49codQ=w468-h640" width="468" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKQbkC4XN4kCRUB3M3_CWkIKp-ir4Jj6pT6Z0kgkdB4NY-Aw8ByzZW3JoNDoW_xFIqzJEZ7oGRl6S0llu0n4L2CDipXSSUh0VVLSAknkaNWbC67SO7Q_A_DqWR0-Z9S3rbFLx2Wg6V2AeLx9kfkbVbMYett-1uLzwdudXrXRVBm5dP4e9gVFi6hxci9g=s2816" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKQbkC4XN4kCRUB3M3_CWkIKp-ir4Jj6pT6Z0kgkdB4NY-Aw8ByzZW3JoNDoW_xFIqzJEZ7oGRl6S0llu0n4L2CDipXSSUh0VVLSAknkaNWbC67SO7Q_A_DqWR0-Z9S3rbFLx2Wg6V2AeLx9kfkbVbMYett-1uLzwdudXrXRVBm5dP4e9gVFi6hxci9g=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_OOykFSI9mKRgKXvW7BseJiYjqeqznrzK9zrLHyeHOgknoZAazD81e1j3Zi1lBNS4uwgb2gybquyEG39VlCbykIOsksDFUq-0aWmcGcSo11oqUdIrWmXW0-meBohI0FO3rw0cOz8MKQR0wBleFC77xGBMNlDb77jHihiQ1M4LBV0V2gTDMRGR_AEn8Q=s2816" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_OOykFSI9mKRgKXvW7BseJiYjqeqznrzK9zrLHyeHOgknoZAazD81e1j3Zi1lBNS4uwgb2gybquyEG39VlCbykIOsksDFUq-0aWmcGcSo11oqUdIrWmXW0-meBohI0FO3rw0cOz8MKQR0wBleFC77xGBMNlDb77jHihiQ1M4LBV0V2gTDMRGR_AEn8Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja_X-g3VIqbkYHB9ZyyzqgD0RK9PkSvTPAkNW3Xv-k_-jPgmU_8FFu1XiFxnPGtl5KaqtsgLSskWVhkcDGYvLUSDqfsvw9Vc2kE47NAbB2lrWIOyvENSlz8VMrCjgV5j8OvLDJKLeSTek_nACRXblEjDK9Pm8xBMzL1pWdijoULpbkS3Jj01C1Z4M87A=s2616" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="2090" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja_X-g3VIqbkYHB9ZyyzqgD0RK9PkSvTPAkNW3Xv-k_-jPgmU_8FFu1XiFxnPGtl5KaqtsgLSskWVhkcDGYvLUSDqfsvw9Vc2kE47NAbB2lrWIOyvENSlz8VMrCjgV5j8OvLDJKLeSTek_nACRXblEjDK9Pm8xBMzL1pWdijoULpbkS3Jj01C1Z4M87A=w512-h640" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWcOBnqTjtird-WQyLX7UtiknF8xBBP-JF6IQjmAspPXN-LhaLv2lXoqK4XVZ51iKoIQJpCj8GkXJx3XFkhuvAvy_qWj5mQ15RMJgxdmexIzi4W13veGJawuP-YgRV3BAQCZ137jVpjDkRM8jk4dr1xstVLPrJzB8CCjce4nvmQUh7kTpMh12V0mtd1g=s2816" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWcOBnqTjtird-WQyLX7UtiknF8xBBP-JF6IQjmAspPXN-LhaLv2lXoqK4XVZ51iKoIQJpCj8GkXJx3XFkhuvAvy_qWj5mQ15RMJgxdmexIzi4W13veGJawuP-YgRV3BAQCZ137jVpjDkRM8jk4dr1xstVLPrJzB8CCjce4nvmQUh7kTpMh12V0mtd1g=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkAO1d5EHGGfHx3Wb5Jto403Ey0nnfb16SHhGE6lzNv3-axy4KbO9XWt63Nhi5ObDoeNeiOYhPi1JG2QVkebqDayl7p5-Wpafq6euc8TUxcOOu8D9Sd2MmsqPJ7UHEoZyYo4DQzwHlRp7j-6gbnRtYF7wItxgeY9kmFE2aOpHD0_94ElmuWd3lovTzTw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkAO1d5EHGGfHx3Wb5Jto403Ey0nnfb16SHhGE6lzNv3-axy4KbO9XWt63Nhi5ObDoeNeiOYhPi1JG2QVkebqDayl7p5-Wpafq6euc8TUxcOOu8D9Sd2MmsqPJ7UHEoZyYo4DQzwHlRp7j-6gbnRtYF7wItxgeY9kmFE2aOpHD0_94ElmuWd3lovTzTw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWO8iDYKnvowrG-ohR1JMsOFT5rhn6LwYQYnPxNHf0f1FxpG8U1quVYedVg0qMIJ0hEzNo28rVksH3gZBdS8YE5ZGCTOIZ6zp_UY85xJfn5M1KlO5fyYOpCt6VmxZayFdvDNBw-22xwHuV8Z8cu2x7Nz2EM7lQrebQxnWc7VSeoGpsuBgOoIfK8V5FLg=s2105" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2090" data-original-width="2105" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWO8iDYKnvowrG-ohR1JMsOFT5rhn6LwYQYnPxNHf0f1FxpG8U1quVYedVg0qMIJ0hEzNo28rVksH3gZBdS8YE5ZGCTOIZ6zp_UY85xJfn5M1KlO5fyYOpCt6VmxZayFdvDNBw-22xwHuV8Z8cu2x7Nz2EM7lQrebQxnWc7VSeoGpsuBgOoIfK8V5FLg=w640-h636" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_l0zD64_YLLAAk-ArPnjIlUBxdl7SU8AferUT2UQgcUo1g3BpYP1BzWMXxldhvqe3kdkkVCyPWQun-mjAhKjBK8-EtTUD2b-GAVvLHlOHoQSpWWO7QT-q0s5F60T6790Wk_Fq91BEXUKfeVIVFABRe8UwlG-7xHG1StXy5Ta6esGEkg4IQITzvsSKdg=s677" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="677" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_l0zD64_YLLAAk-ArPnjIlUBxdl7SU8AferUT2UQgcUo1g3BpYP1BzWMXxldhvqe3kdkkVCyPWQun-mjAhKjBK8-EtTUD2b-GAVvLHlOHoQSpWWO7QT-q0s5F60T6790Wk_Fq91BEXUKfeVIVFABRe8UwlG-7xHG1StXy5Ta6esGEkg4IQITzvsSKdg=w640-h514" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWbJsXESWkd1CtxzIjcRUmL_7S8m5S5LzsbY0zMPcFvx4TCAj0tnjdOYvDWg2OH7N7Ps9FjT0SdyBq0WBx8CIHpFor2ywSI7m4uddOhkjxSYNEFVN3Zf6KJ-Ioh9KEJOVXyaBBsvWXGVGAhCy9Lw79gY7v4i-R4m3StCaqMQaxfTjL9u0pMm8Y8EkPHQ=s2020" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2020" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWbJsXESWkd1CtxzIjcRUmL_7S8m5S5LzsbY0zMPcFvx4TCAj0tnjdOYvDWg2OH7N7Ps9FjT0SdyBq0WBx8CIHpFor2ywSI7m4uddOhkjxSYNEFVN3Zf6KJ-Ioh9KEJOVXyaBBsvWXGVGAhCy9Lw79gY7v4i-R4m3StCaqMQaxfTjL9u0pMm8Y8EkPHQ=w640-h638" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJfkT97Ms2N6Cx9ShvmCEHWxw2s0bY6cJY-GVM47_KdaPs2-j4lcZ22AHMFQIYNiZYtcNoA0WTzHXS27K-lf-HwVWVlhnUjVn1IHtDGn3dUsb2PwJoF-zB18WYQ1GaB79NryO_ieCofk8T2DxjiPw8_11hOmgHJiQoSk1x_HB6j5OFWxL0C5GqDy9AAA=s2794" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="2794" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJfkT97Ms2N6Cx9ShvmCEHWxw2s0bY6cJY-GVM47_KdaPs2-j4lcZ22AHMFQIYNiZYtcNoA0WTzHXS27K-lf-HwVWVlhnUjVn1IHtDGn3dUsb2PwJoF-zB18WYQ1GaB79NryO_ieCofk8T2DxjiPw8_11hOmgHJiQoSk1x_HB6j5OFWxL0C5GqDy9AAA=w640-h460" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-R1qkR4--M30oOw6pR9Rg1G2S_jmLkGuZhN_6G5s7Gjl0HpL2aIL-yOAdrDc46VD_pSFOtebva0XJpPVYUjuZ8r4PE0O1HBaTWOqc8SWQ36VhdiXDClv_oXzGAJ4pDRjgL0TK5uLFErcfUdpet5cNhtX4S8paobjX8Pmy37uGWgInJ5c6eMRBOmilyg=s3021" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3021" data-original-width="3004" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-R1qkR4--M30oOw6pR9Rg1G2S_jmLkGuZhN_6G5s7Gjl0HpL2aIL-yOAdrDc46VD_pSFOtebva0XJpPVYUjuZ8r4PE0O1HBaTWOqc8SWQ36VhdiXDClv_oXzGAJ4pDRjgL0TK5uLFErcfUdpet5cNhtX4S8paobjX8Pmy37uGWgInJ5c6eMRBOmilyg=w636-h640" width="636" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With age I have come to understand the sentiment behind the words of my mother and grandmother and probably most women with adult children</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What I truly want for Christmas isn't from a store. I don't care if there aren't presents under the tree for me. I just want my children around me and my husband to curl up next to. I can't wish the world back to how I used to see it. But how it is now should not (will not) rob me of my joy. My joy can't be picked out from a catalog or purchased with a credit card. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis04pI7ROsnDJRCUEzNlnV-dbXBpEb1enQqYGzUnB9BhmI_9strhxZNX12RVJnp57FxXvr28eyectl0qXLfUNgP_9GSNIdn2K1N_XO3dnYTecY0imV1STdqJQbro3AeOM-os8WU-uQdnbwgQ-7x_JcFVe2b2GdOtt3qe0JC9jBlOxfA74SyyuKqSoMYg=s2816" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="2112" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis04pI7ROsnDJRCUEzNlnV-dbXBpEb1enQqYGzUnB9BhmI_9strhxZNX12RVJnp57FxXvr28eyectl0qXLfUNgP_9GSNIdn2K1N_XO3dnYTecY0imV1STdqJQbro3AeOM-os8WU-uQdnbwgQ-7x_JcFVe2b2GdOtt3qe0JC9jBlOxfA74SyyuKqSoMYg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>My</i></b> <b><i>joy</i></b>, not silly and goofy slap-stick happiness, but a peace-filled and abiding joy that does not disappoint comes from knowing the One we are preparing to celebrate. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"So, who is this <b><i>One</i></b> and why do we celebrate him?", you ask?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I wrote this a few years ago and was so thankful when it popped up in my memories this week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I pray it blesses you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Christmas is about Jesus, the Christ of God.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"> He did not come wrapped in beautiful wrapping or decorated in the finest array. He was wrapped in rags; swaddling clothes. He did not lay his tiny, magnificent head on a soft bed in a king's nursery but rather in a trough that was meant to feed animals. There was no pomp initiated by the rulers of the day to welcome this prophesied Savior. There was only a young mother and her husband that knew he was not the father of this baby..... and all the heavenly host! It was they who preached to the shepherds in the fields. The shepherds rushed to see this thing the angels had declared to them. They saw the Promise of the Father! They saw, with eyes of faith, the One who would secure for them a righteousness that could never be earned-the <b>perfection </b>that <b>God</b>, the Father, <b>requires</b> for entrance into the gates of heaven.</div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Wouldn't it be so sweet if that were the whole of the story?</div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">But, Scripture tells us more. We are told that not only can we not keep the law of God perfectly but that we don't even desire to...in fact, we break the laws of God regularly and willfully and that is called sin. Scripture also tells us the wages of sin is death and that EVERYONE has sinned. Death is not merely a physical death, which is the evidence of our sin, but also a spiritual death that separates us from the Almighty-without exception. We are bankrupt and without hope.</div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">But God....being great in mercy sent his Son, in the form of man, to live according to all the law of God-perfectly. And here is the hard thing to remember: that baby lying in a manger, represented so sweetly in my nativity...<b><i><u>he came to die</u></i></b> ... not because of sin <i>he</i> committed but because of mine and yours. The Father poured out his wrath for our sin on his own Son! The death of Jesus satisfied the penalty for the sin of all those who would believe in him. And we know that it was an acceptable sacrifice because God, the Father raised him from the dead. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">That is still <b><i>not</i></b> enough, though. </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Remember, we have to be perfect to see heaven. A paid debt does not wipe away the fact that we had a debt or that I continue to break God's laws thus accumulating more debt. And here is the "ah-ha" that brought me a peace that knows no limits, remember the perfect life Jesus lived? <b><u>He gave that to me.</u></b> He wrapped me in his righteousness and presents me to the Father as his bride, clothed in white, without spot or wrinkle or blemish and I am accepted.</div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">That is Christmas. Maybe that is why I am so enamored with the idea of white and shiny Christmas decor. Maybe that is why I would like it to look perfect and peaceful.... and maybe it is such an unattainable goal for me because that perfection has already been accomplished. It did not come wrapped in gold and silver, velvet or silk....just rags and immeasurable love.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">(2015)</div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYEGrIQMEEqcH96ekz4oSVfSknqK6qWLb2NIuz5zbo8NQFYgdaKSzrbdApbUuvIyb2nLQsHqDc5WBX3xgRrBJ-o_y93q4ke0Fq_rYzjJ9KmGAWzvyMIIozbe0kEvvIS7JtVlYlp0GAHNfNUUywpgEg-iWR737skCRyfePEMpXGGMKeI396zqiSt2cV3A=s1720" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="1601" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYEGrIQMEEqcH96ekz4oSVfSknqK6qWLb2NIuz5zbo8NQFYgdaKSzrbdApbUuvIyb2nLQsHqDc5WBX3xgRrBJ-o_y93q4ke0Fq_rYzjJ9KmGAWzvyMIIozbe0kEvvIS7JtVlYlp0GAHNfNUUywpgEg-iWR737skCRyfePEMpXGGMKeI396zqiSt2cV3A=w596-h640" width="596" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;">Merry Christmas</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Lobster; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">linking to these parties:<a href="https://blueskyathome.com/tuesday-turn-about-link-party-131/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=name_merry_christmas_from_tuesday_turn_about_link_party_131_from_bluesky_at_home&utm_term=2021-12-21" target="_blank"> Blue Sky At Home</a>, <a href="https://www.ourhopefulhome.com/2021/12/vintage-charm-party-316.html" target="_blank">Our Hopeful Home</a>, <a href="https://www.shabbyartboutique.com/2021/12/create-bake-grow-gather-party-500.html" target="_blank">Shabby Art Boutique</a></span></div>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-70190489385810346802021-11-04T06:49:00.000-04:002021-11-04T06:49:26.812-04:00Quick Tip To Fill A Vase<p style="text-align: center;"> Don't you just love the pictures of beautiful mantels or tables with a vase full of perfectly placed flowers or some tall sprigs spraying out from the top? Me too! </p><p style="text-align: center;">But when I tried to get that look it ended up looking like this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Fep41XxyzngFU8ZFbJwRaE1S9lt5jCpD4_mj8Zk6bcMwoHYSyTgVNuelSDcL8Bi1xN-M5jPPFlLuRMLFcKl3vR29a-FZAiVUcDWe4mA21nIHflvwCdAqoBbMKDjNgKLAnEwbbd-IzG1l/s3365/IMG_1714.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3365" data-original-width="2775" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Fep41XxyzngFU8ZFbJwRaE1S9lt5jCpD4_mj8Zk6bcMwoHYSyTgVNuelSDcL8Bi1xN-M5jPPFlLuRMLFcKl3vR29a-FZAiVUcDWe4mA21nIHflvwCdAqoBbMKDjNgKLAnEwbbd-IzG1l/w528-h640/IMG_1714.JPG" width="528" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wha-wha.</div><p style="text-align: center;">As a young woman, I worked in a florist shop in Denver, Colorado and my boss was great. She taught me how to make corsages, small arrangements and how to fill a vase... </p><p style="text-align: center;">Somehow, over time, I had forgotten that I possessed that information until this happened!</p><p style="text-align: center;">This is how to fix it:</p><p style="text-align: center;">A florist will use florist tape (green, stretchy tape) to make a grid pattern on the top of the vase. This grid pattern will hold your blooms/greens in place. (New info to me-it comes in different colors now.)</p><p style="text-align: center;">I found these images online.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XWHtzrDudPV14oVb4vaWD9T1v1XCaj9xhg4x3I4znVTwe2z55nlTQzWNOAh4mcwV12D-wzi2hdKnvFn-teI0ooZ3I9NOCxtsPiTGt1ajDVNnaYF6yv8onsSqTFxUDXkGVhZwK9mlDhlm/s750/tape+grid.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XWHtzrDudPV14oVb4vaWD9T1v1XCaj9xhg4x3I4znVTwe2z55nlTQzWNOAh4mcwV12D-wzi2hdKnvFn-teI0ooZ3I9NOCxtsPiTGt1ajDVNnaYF6yv8onsSqTFxUDXkGVhZwK9mlDhlm/w426-h640/tape+grid.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2011/08/t-is-for-teddy-bear-sunflowers.html#more-112512" target="_blank">Source</a>)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvw5PASA7u0Cl5mC-XyBidlpuQzCwr5rTEH97RQae34TZgE8Le_-1Q7n5r6KFXCz6vjbkTP-7kouI6FD1W4zFqMqdrGegCEHQHv0nE7pMPfBtZdjOphhmhVJUNHlRuRdqlKSyIw1sc5io-/s932/florist+tape.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="881" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvw5PASA7u0Cl5mC-XyBidlpuQzCwr5rTEH97RQae34TZgE8Le_-1Q7n5r6KFXCz6vjbkTP-7kouI6FD1W4zFqMqdrGegCEHQHv0nE7pMPfBtZdjOphhmhVJUNHlRuRdqlKSyIw1sc5io-/w604-h640/florist+tape.jpg" width="604" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">(<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/DECORA-Floral-Bouquet-Wrapping-Crafts/dp/B000FRUJF4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=382QJKSRIN68U&dchild=1&keywords=florist+tape+green&qid=1635354577&sprefix=florist+tape%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A23VPVTJ4GZZCW&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzSkowNVZVUlZZRDdMJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzUwODgyMUhTSU9LRUI1SkExQiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUExMDEwMTMwMTdaUjBFOUEwSzZOMCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=" target="_blank">Source</a>)</p><p style="text-align: center;">I didn't have any florist tape on hand so I used painter's tape. I doesn't matter because the vase is on the mantle and you won't see the uglies. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnh_Mul38XEdELbojAjpR54y9urF5R8NIqGB98JvpT972aOZIxkn-ZA7mpgzLLPllGMxnZvg_QMrMwr0SQQfE0826ZmCe4mSB9SeI2UoGp6pIAJwHUF4VxnskeRsQ2iUnW7CxHx7kcBxHp/s2524/IMG_1717.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2429" data-original-width="2524" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnh_Mul38XEdELbojAjpR54y9urF5R8NIqGB98JvpT972aOZIxkn-ZA7mpgzLLPllGMxnZvg_QMrMwr0SQQfE0826ZmCe4mSB9SeI2UoGp6pIAJwHUF4VxnskeRsQ2iUnW7CxHx7kcBxHp/w640-h616/IMG_1717.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was only using 2 sprigs so I didn't need to make multiple holes.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLjXELuJy68EGEm1eYnmKJV3Pyebblj6B6QAECOYRt3eavmvAiRA72m_M4MtEXaGivzqMkI_uOroJLAjE_kmaBWHSlrHH5zHnRbPZQDwfIifPnKg76Zm5bP7kNtyvXSOIvSzPfp2i7AEw/s4032/IMG_1719.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLjXELuJy68EGEm1eYnmKJV3Pyebblj6B6QAECOYRt3eavmvAiRA72m_M4MtEXaGivzqMkI_uOroJLAjE_kmaBWHSlrHH5zHnRbPZQDwfIifPnKg76Zm5bP7kNtyvXSOIvSzPfp2i7AEw/w480-h640/IMG_1719.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now you can put the stems in. They won't flop to the side but stay where you put them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcrQECO6mC8KOJqk2L2FpRp02V5pTt7WGRzcfEnc34rtod41xugWgUKJKD-9IGyzOFO3XMXpMhhJHnGMvcbLvrB-yiH6wQ_5jkKHkBzmmML1HsqGRARLuk_MCgXHhWlgiahY5M1x0Kcem/s3583/IMG_1722.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3583" data-original-width="2734" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcrQECO6mC8KOJqk2L2FpRp02V5pTt7WGRzcfEnc34rtod41xugWgUKJKD-9IGyzOFO3XMXpMhhJHnGMvcbLvrB-yiH6wQ_5jkKHkBzmmML1HsqGRARLuk_MCgXHhWlgiahY5M1x0Kcem/w488-h640/IMG_1722.JPG" width="488" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_4M6O1v0oNkn4I3yWz41S-EUra0YucXAchnzrggv-GlWD5WyESeIr6Amk9hTFNjebNcbyUpgep8dPJ8-mbfbqek5rxWn4xTN0xAneYI3fzyL-fTemuVrh91od-CV2foWbuEgfOI8nJpf/s4032/IMG_1729.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_4M6O1v0oNkn4I3yWz41S-EUra0YucXAchnzrggv-GlWD5WyESeIr6Amk9hTFNjebNcbyUpgep8dPJ8-mbfbqek5rxWn4xTN0xAneYI3fzyL-fTemuVrh91od-CV2foWbuEgfOI8nJpf/w480-h640/IMG_1729.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maybe someone out there needed the reminder, like me or perhaps this in new information for you. Either way, happy decorating! </div>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-9746542955041779092021-10-27T06:30:00.006-04:002021-10-30T07:41:42.592-04:00Tips For Your Fall Table And Mantel<p> <span style="text-align: center;">Today, I am going to share with you my process for decorating my dining room for any given season. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, I did decorate for autumn this year but you know it is always hard for me to let summer go. My summer table was very simple this year. I pulled a woven runner down the center and loaded it with all my beach finds: shells, rocks and glass. Add a little greenery and some twinkle lights and call er' done. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2-RucXzSwiDCDbFaawzRnGBu91ixdJ1xW4gWsw1Ey_Tiaj1XleUdfpwENlIfT2DvRsA_xlWB7Wdm0qF-Z69OXbp_f0ss3hdiFYl5_14ipxgBHu5n3iQtWh5HqE0wNLxPD2qnhlbJTsXJ/s6000/DSC04703.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2-RucXzSwiDCDbFaawzRnGBu91ixdJ1xW4gWsw1Ey_Tiaj1XleUdfpwENlIfT2DvRsA_xlWB7Wdm0qF-Z69OXbp_f0ss3hdiFYl5_14ipxgBHu5n3iQtWh5HqE0wNLxPD2qnhlbJTsXJ/w640-h426/DSC04703.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The mantel got a similar treatment; seashells, driftwood and twinkle lights are my jam. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Do people still say that?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNf1nmX0YuDTop46Sd1BxuP16flzU_GgmzEsWyUGSAKdHSMHsAEy1BHHiIn0eOzfJrgkhJlg5P4kbGO3V3SOzKQpOWxSpoVm8um1_gdZUYRet9bngWa_ujiKKLp99Lff4qUoV5ttTbgic/s6000/DSC04709.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNf1nmX0YuDTop46Sd1BxuP16flzU_GgmzEsWyUGSAKdHSMHsAEy1BHHiIn0eOzfJrgkhJlg5P4kbGO3V3SOzKQpOWxSpoVm8um1_gdZUYRet9bngWa_ujiKKLp99Lff4qUoV5ttTbgic/w426-h640/DSC04709.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But summer can't last forever, especially here in New England. So, it was time for a clean slate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsSID1dB4enFqEqd5N7ixrgeudCkLGmgQIFXnhowT5A9n_zrDRgUmftEwxllPVBTu904hKHuPzrMac6sg5mjUHyelvOpQfEJka50xDWP5Y7iOfxo-2LKPjaX1d-3cEh3w1czqdEg0YAmU/s6000/DSC04732.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsSID1dB4enFqEqd5N7ixrgeudCkLGmgQIFXnhowT5A9n_zrDRgUmftEwxllPVBTu904hKHuPzrMac6sg5mjUHyelvOpQfEJka50xDWP5Y7iOfxo-2LKPjaX1d-3cEh3w1czqdEg0YAmU/w426-h640/DSC04732.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I begin I gather all the items I have for that season. I am not limited to using<b><i> just these items</i></b> nor will I use <b><i>all these items </i></b>but I want to see everything that I have and develop a plan from there. <b>Remember to shop your stuff</b>. Not everything has to be used in the same way or same place every year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqRpPJbrhzuAZ2gFLHLU6K6jz6txgsP2apHPrh7560-VTb7DNMuM1iUJ5aWl3NgcDvBssx6-M3djJszYDQPR8gqgoB7a0g9o_Vqeogf3CsCuDWw-U1oieCuguMbW7dF48SWA7kTxtAYjc/s6000/DSC04733.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqRpPJbrhzuAZ2gFLHLU6K6jz6txgsP2apHPrh7560-VTb7DNMuM1iUJ5aWl3NgcDvBssx6-M3djJszYDQPR8gqgoB7a0g9o_Vqeogf3CsCuDWw-U1oieCuguMbW7dF48SWA7kTxtAYjc/w640-h426/DSC04733.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A recent trip with a friend to Hobby Lobby gave me my starting point this year. The royal blue, velvet pumpkin and the squirrel are new additions. I love that pumpkin and it gave me an idea! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I pulled out my grandmother's blue and white pottery that I usually use for summer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Yup, I'm gonna sneak some summer in there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTn3WOD5ucpyJpyTTk2iFKHC3-8_9qai_OZdviJ2CqepLGc0RoiKWpZVtu6wUW_NwJv9mHwAvhPX8wfQjtnS11bhFNpooNrHaBu4lSQ-ACiezhjuZ4BHrF9dSDL9Dattdvs3Iz-y8X-f3q/s6000/DSC04741.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTn3WOD5ucpyJpyTTk2iFKHC3-8_9qai_OZdviJ2CqepLGc0RoiKWpZVtu6wUW_NwJv9mHwAvhPX8wfQjtnS11bhFNpooNrHaBu4lSQ-ACiezhjuZ4BHrF9dSDL9Dattdvs3Iz-y8X-f3q/w640-h426/DSC04741.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I use risers in my decorating. They can be cake stands, candle holders, books, a flat lid... anything to give some rise and fall in your arrangement. I also pulled out a scarf to use as a type of runner. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXnTwOpcoJ99xQKhRK0GJ-NI2KYyApGl-1qOXMzUG6cD5hfu9bPbfHRKxopMn8JbrZkDcnzw3ReVIm9cDOjoLwPN8_TJC9A-OuPgsqiPg9_U5Zo7c8tQp3WrnvdhvidAPu2n1Uw4_8dJL/s6000/DSC04742.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXnTwOpcoJ99xQKhRK0GJ-NI2KYyApGl-1qOXMzUG6cD5hfu9bPbfHRKxopMn8JbrZkDcnzw3ReVIm9cDOjoLwPN8_TJC9A-OuPgsqiPg9_U5Zo7c8tQp3WrnvdhvidAPu2n1Uw4_8dJL/w426-h640/DSC04742.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In this case I decided to put the risers under the scarf and then scrunched it in a messy s-shaped arrangement. I added a driftwood garland and the pottery. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyOlq0d9lQm-eEoQpHHx5VfI7bUabm-o2Uv5NoU2Mu8DhLx4YSTO9UTTU7xqG6_7L4D4o_J0YNgQSvHbteIR0AaaQ-boHIRQy3B4raxhaC0c8fSzcO3b62W9TRVr6d0vmSdlq9HmZX14K/s6000/DSC04745.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyOlq0d9lQm-eEoQpHHx5VfI7bUabm-o2Uv5NoU2Mu8DhLx4YSTO9UTTU7xqG6_7L4D4o_J0YNgQSvHbteIR0AaaQ-boHIRQy3B4raxhaC0c8fSzcO3b62W9TRVr6d0vmSdlq9HmZX14K/w640-h426/DSC04745.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At this point I add twinkle lights because I don't want them to just lay on top of the arrangement. I want them woven into it. I wrap them around a rolling pin to get the spiral effect and then nestle them into the arrangement. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezJ2eeHC0-nJAG8h50SdAwlETyISpUZuIMf8B4o3iT2e7F3h3O07Pc2r6QDDqYCQKdIYvH4qXcimHIA3OgYF1JgndD89nFK2fp2PlofyyMlmQZcOnyx8zTFpEHyi1qUn0-BOZ_aH0d97F/s6000/DSC04747.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezJ2eeHC0-nJAG8h50SdAwlETyISpUZuIMf8B4o3iT2e7F3h3O07Pc2r6QDDqYCQKdIYvH4qXcimHIA3OgYF1JgndD89nFK2fp2PlofyyMlmQZcOnyx8zTFpEHyi1qUn0-BOZ_aH0d97F/w426-h640/DSC04747.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93mWUB1gMNHGcpIejhXJRZVOiDiw6st9fd6T3YaJO9xQk11wP1NCP6w_UB0XPTM-npNSrmREzuEBTH6crUm8V9TylbRJCj4VvEQIRlVDONYhswC_MWJcSSrF2gs-gsvGi0OlPPeVewMMN/s6000/DSC04751.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93mWUB1gMNHGcpIejhXJRZVOiDiw6st9fd6T3YaJO9xQk11wP1NCP6w_UB0XPTM-npNSrmREzuEBTH6crUm8V9TylbRJCj4VvEQIRlVDONYhswC_MWJcSSrF2gs-gsvGi0OlPPeVewMMN/w426-h640/DSC04751.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once the base is set I add in the accents and fillers. In this case I used my <a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2017/09/painted-pumpkin-tutorial.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #800180;">painted dollar store pumpkins</span></b></a>, seashells (still holding onto summer), and hydrangea picks I made several years ago for the autumn season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b><a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2017/10/nontraditional-fall-colors-in-living.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #800180;">You can see them here</span></a></b>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sA7KqJEQEwVz8VhRcpehskCyQ740rGeXfrc2ARR5j_4LGzg33zyePOHkvs72WsIE1YzHn5oA21UwbqI1n8dUtQcyLy082zX448k_LF_SNvyn-iLR_bi3Z1yJwoRdimQTBq7a1qElXw_8/s6000/DSC04766.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sA7KqJEQEwVz8VhRcpehskCyQ740rGeXfrc2ARR5j_4LGzg33zyePOHkvs72WsIE1YzHn5oA21UwbqI1n8dUtQcyLy082zX448k_LF_SNvyn-iLR_bi3Z1yJwoRdimQTBq7a1qElXw_8/w426-h640/DSC04766.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I nestled in some candle sticks and added my great-grandmothers turkey plates. I topped them with blue and white plates Mister picked out a few years ago. Can you find the pretty velvet pumpkin? </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XPLw4YFKaQKhcUyYTa2tydRYmmyK0UKOHV5P1UpvuaQ23GawXPianZ6yX3fGv-GMaJ_u3Mm2sniPKJiPt21dJilpDcmpUv2lvSKZPMRaphzV1DCT174IdESl-0Eym8qluJBUUhnFWaaQ/s6000/DSC04774.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XPLw4YFKaQKhcUyYTa2tydRYmmyK0UKOHV5P1UpvuaQ23GawXPianZ6yX3fGv-GMaJ_u3Mm2sniPKJiPt21dJilpDcmpUv2lvSKZPMRaphzV1DCT174IdESl-0Eym8qluJBUUhnFWaaQ/w640-h426/DSC04774.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmi-4maTxZtjrS0CuHG3pa__mLY_A_zxQCvvaWNHxiptJ_7z55CTU_KnstF-F6hGyuSJ8FEFgSBJqy34dD1Bk5QWKloAH0DW6YQlxcyHrZV1iq4FTUJpxIUoPSMhfTrfDhxeonNkuioeO/s6000/DSC04787.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmi-4maTxZtjrS0CuHG3pa__mLY_A_zxQCvvaWNHxiptJ_7z55CTU_KnstF-F6hGyuSJ8FEFgSBJqy34dD1Bk5QWKloAH0DW6YQlxcyHrZV1iq4FTUJpxIUoPSMhfTrfDhxeonNkuioeO/w640-h426/DSC04787.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The mantel got a dressed up. My teal pitcher that is usually only used for summer made its way out of storage. A riser holds a fake pumpkin. Painted dollar store pumpkins, a large starfish, sand dollar and wood beads accompany the inspiration squirrel. Twinkle lights and some springs of greenery along with some of the hydrangea picks finish off the coordinating look. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsXnT4zECeRhxfGNIXoRNdThl9HE3kn7Gh46sEGVqlP4DgVKt0Ce8eU9-9DaYGobZNG9lQeG3mnqihnKNCbR7SRNWsGURHPAVkLgd1Mr1RobkWskcrMYuGROMWs3_L8o2BxL9sDdcSdiz/s6000/DSC04791.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsXnT4zECeRhxfGNIXoRNdThl9HE3kn7Gh46sEGVqlP4DgVKt0Ce8eU9-9DaYGobZNG9lQeG3mnqihnKNCbR7SRNWsGURHPAVkLgd1Mr1RobkWskcrMYuGROMWs3_L8o2BxL9sDdcSdiz/w640-h426/DSC04791.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I decorated the table I did so with the table being its normal length. <b>That was a mistake!</b> I needed it to be ready for guests so I had to undo the whole thing, add the leaf and put it back. That is when I decided to change one of the risers to a shorter one. The ginger pot that sat on that one was too tall and kept me from being able to see the people on the other side of the table. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also added some green apples to break up the blues a bit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVB-M68Dtg8zlOm8E9UmQH-eATtmfY_joEa1GbR0fS60pvqtzpZeHB_pl4bqN9a2lT5CFEXFJDN-JNMfErr1SDudyDHwYjVnhzALfslmR_XP-1EC4bDdEcsj35eYFbP3cDsO61K3sHG5u/s4032/IMG_2159.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVB-M68Dtg8zlOm8E9UmQH-eATtmfY_joEa1GbR0fS60pvqtzpZeHB_pl4bqN9a2lT5CFEXFJDN-JNMfErr1SDudyDHwYjVnhzALfslmR_XP-1EC4bDdEcsj35eYFbP3cDsO61K3sHG5u/w480-h640/IMG_2159.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NxnHWutthoc1PjAyq63bL6kvynpfYaHL-xjQOB8n2JbQdrn87yLmxNFWKazz7lyOjTla-aMZKxeyt22i96Ow6fsUvi_OMugsbuDuCXD6SkHvF4fqckFxMRhOSMolf05NmND4qQAUAFqn/s4032/IMG_2160.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NxnHWutthoc1PjAyq63bL6kvynpfYaHL-xjQOB8n2JbQdrn87yLmxNFWKazz7lyOjTla-aMZKxeyt22i96Ow6fsUvi_OMugsbuDuCXD6SkHvF4fqckFxMRhOSMolf05NmND4qQAUAFqn/w640-h480/IMG_2160.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In hind sight I should have arranged the whole thing on some sort of moveable board for ease in changing the leaf in the table. My table has been at its super-sized length for almost two months- which is silly for when it is just Mister and me. I will work on the for next time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, here's the take away: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">1) Shop your stuff-you don't always have to buy new</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">2) Use risers </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">3) Add twinkle lights </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">4) Use unexpected or out of season items </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">5) Make sure sight lines are not obstructed </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">6) Don't be afraid to adjust as needed </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you use any of these tips, let me know! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ready your home for guests, friends, and family. Share a cup of tea or a meal together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Encourage one another. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><b>So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Galatians 6:10</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>Party Links </span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blueskyathome.com/tuesday-turn-about-link-party-123/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=name_who_was_featured_at_tuesday_turn_about_link_party_123_from_bluesky_at_home&utm_term=2021-10-26" target="_blank">Blue Sky At Home</a>, <a href="https://katherinescorner.com/2021/10/28/spooky-halloween-and-tft-blog-hop/" target="_blank">Katherine's Corner</a>, <a href="https://www.shabbyartboutique.com/2021/10/create-bake-grow-gather-party-492.html" target="_blank">Shabby Art Boutique</a></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">*<b>Mantle</b> has been changed to <b>mantel</b>. Sorry for the misspell. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p></div>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-70757100194018986162021-10-23T18:07:00.000-04:002021-10-23T18:07:29.639-04:00I Got Stuck <p style="text-align: center;">Stuck.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlYTic2lPpaJCB4LCUm3Ha6Csr6TwSXSsWbeEACz81xZ_Cg8qbAAHTfUoWRMO-TR6_7yaBJdMhU-4khiMDG7VvSx0GM_OXOv2EuElR23wu7Fj74V1Jm6Zw0rfaRpj2kjkWKrrAHnC-IV3/s2048/IMG_4448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlYTic2lPpaJCB4LCUm3Ha6Csr6TwSXSsWbeEACz81xZ_Cg8qbAAHTfUoWRMO-TR6_7yaBJdMhU-4khiMDG7VvSx0GM_OXOv2EuElR23wu7Fj74V1Jm6Zw0rfaRpj2kjkWKrrAHnC-IV3/w480-h640/IMG_4448.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The craziness of the past two years has had me stuck in a very weird place mentally and spiritually. I think about writing blogposts but then I struggle with "why". I follow the news and have filled my brain to the brim with politics, world news, videos, articles and books. All it has served to do for me is to make me </span><i style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>anxious, mad</b></i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> and honestly, a bit </span><b style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>hopeless</i></b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">. </span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Does anyone really care if I decorate for the new season?" That is one of many questions I replay in my mind. "In the grand scheme of things, doesn't decorating my home seem rather bourgeoise?", I ask myself. People are losing their lives, their loved ones, their jobs, their freedoms. If I manage to muster up some creativity to make a new wreath in this out-of-my-control environment whose going to care? Why bother to decorate at all? </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbf68DFvMMJkVCwtcRfTUNTJaAXc6kxJbGPPCtQzH9pEFfLAEON4HveOFijQc4_cbvZLqv0-xJDv2PO6s8cbPUPAXVzZSFbOpV7l3R-dzNhxFSD53t77GnmOq4ISH5VOSmcCk6Pga0tfn/s2664/IMG_1802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="2110" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbf68DFvMMJkVCwtcRfTUNTJaAXc6kxJbGPPCtQzH9pEFfLAEON4HveOFijQc4_cbvZLqv0-xJDv2PO6s8cbPUPAXVzZSFbOpV7l3R-dzNhxFSD53t77GnmOq4ISH5VOSmcCk6Pga0tfn/w506-h640/IMG_1802.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Maybe, you're feeling a bit like that. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was stuck. But, I am a Christian. Words like <b><i>anxious</i></b>, <b><i>mad</i></b> and <b><i>hopeless</i></b> shouldn't be words that describe me. While I have been wallowing in these worthless attitudes far too long God has not been absent. I have been all too eager to engage in conversation with strangers and friends about current events; discussing and commiserating over temporary things that will come and go and not about what is really important-eternal things. Why? It is because of what I am allowing my mind be consumed by. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">But God....</span></u></i></b></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">They are my favorite two words in all the Bible! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But God, in his Word, has told me that I am not supposed to give in to those feelings of anxiety. He speaks to me as he did to Martha, </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke+10:41/" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">Luke 10:41</a> </span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">- </span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, (Jolena, Jolena) you are </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">anxious</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> and troubled about many things,</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew+6:27/" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">Matthew 6:27</a> </span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">- </span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">And which of you by being </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">anxious</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> can add a single hour to his span of life?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And then he tells me how to fight that feeling and why I can let the anxiety go...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/Philippians+4:4/" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">Philippians 4:4</a></span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">-</span><a href="https://www.esv.org/Philippians+4:6/" style="letter-spacing: 0.25px; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">6</a></span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">-</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">Rejoice</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">in</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">the</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">Lord</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">always</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">; again I will say, rejoice.</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">Let</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">your</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">reasonableness</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> be known to everyone.<b> The Lord is at hand</b>;</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">do</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">not</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">be</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">anxious</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">about</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">anything</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I forgot, Lord. <b>You <i>are</i> at hand</b>. You are in control of everything that seems to me to be quite out of control.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I still feel mad about the images and stories I see and read, though. I wonder if people are believing things of me based on my medical standing, skin color, economic status or faith that are just not true. I look at their faces, read their comments, hear the false narratives and have conversations in my head. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">But God says...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/James+3:8/" style="background-color: transparent; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">James 3:8</a>-9</span> </span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">- but no human being </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">can</span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">tame</span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">the</span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">tongue</span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">With</span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">it</span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">we</span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">bless</span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">our</span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">and</span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">Father</span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm+4:4/" style="background-color: transparent; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Psalm 4:4</a> </span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">- Be </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">angry</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; font-family: trebuchet; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/Ecclesiastes+7:9/" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">Ecclesiastes 7:9</a> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; font-family: trebuchet; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">- </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: trebuchet; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">Be not quick in your spirit to become </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); font-family: trebuchet; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">angry</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: trebuchet; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face="Gotham A, Gotham B, Gentium Plus, Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">Ok, so what is at the heart of my attitude of anger? All the information and divisive rhetoric out there has planted seeds. Am I lo</span></span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">oking at complete strangers and old friends as if they are now enemies because of what I imagine they may be thinking about me? I have inwardly questioned the motives of people I have known for decades. </span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">This took some real sole searching for me and it brought me full circle to a rather profoundly hurtful situation we experienced several years ago but this time<b><i><u> I </u></i></b> am the guilty party.<b><i><u> I </u></i></b>am supposing the worst of people and friends! How did I let my heart go there?</span></span></p><p><span face="Gotham A, Gotham B, Gentium Plus, Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">Lord, help me!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/Philippians+2:3/" style="background-color: transparent; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Philippians 2:3</a>b</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">- ... in humility </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">count</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">others</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">more</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">significant</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> than yourselves.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/1+Corinthians+13:7/" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">1 Corinthians 13:7</a> </span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">- Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on it's own way; it does not rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth. Love </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">bears</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">all</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">things</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><span style="color: #514d47;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/Romans+12:10/" style="background-color: transparent; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Romans 12:10</a> </span><span style="color: #514d47;">- </span>Love one another with brotherly affection. <span class="search-match" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color);">Outdo</span> <span class="search-match" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color);">one</span> <span class="search-match" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color);">another</span> <span class="search-match" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color);">in</span> <span class="search-match" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color);">showing</span> <span class="search-match" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color);">honor</span>.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">And, so what of feeling hopeless? As I look around I am overwhelmed like Peter, not by one colossal wave but by wave-upon-wave and I feel I cannot catch my breath. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">Lord, save me.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">But God points gently shows me that I have focused on the wrong things and redirects my gaze. "Take your eyes off the waves. Look at me."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: trebuchet; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/Hebrews+12:2/" style="background-color: transparent; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Hebrews 12:2</span></a> - <span class="search-match" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color);">looking</span> <span class="search-match" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color);">to</span> <span class="search-match" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color);">Jesus</span>, the founder and perfecter of our faith</span></p><p style="background-color: #fefefe; box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: trebuchet;">2 Corinthians 4:16-18 </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">-</span></span><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-family: trebuchet;">So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/1+Timothy+4:10/" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">1 Timothy 4:10</a>a</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">- For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">hope</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> set on the living God...</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">Uh-oh, where have I been setting my hope? On government, my country, relationships, science, feelings... I have let my mind, imagination, and heart drift away from truth. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm+42:5/" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">Psalm 42:5</a> </span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">- Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); letter-spacing: 0.25px;">Hope</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">God has answered all my anxiety, anger and hopelessness. Today, I am anchored in God's Word and if I stay keep my eyes on him I will not drift. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: trebuchet; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><span style="color: #514d47;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/Hebrews+2:1/" style="background-color: transparent; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Hebrews 2:1</a> </span><span style="color: #514d47;">- Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we </span><span class="search-match" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); color: #514d47;">drift</span><span style="color: #514d47;"> away from it.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: trebuchet; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm+19:14/" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">Psalm 19:14</a> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: trebuchet; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">- Let the words of my mouth and the </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); font-family: trebuchet; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">meditation</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: trebuchet; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); font-family: trebuchet; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">of</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: trebuchet; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span class="search-match" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); font-family: trebuchet; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">my</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: trebuchet; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HLkKqUryMKVs2oIgmDprYuXIqt4mXnWqkHT_f1WwbuGTABOq0J4FHXoITgi1m58pcZkyV33BhT_qkkyNQdgeAe1k-MxitUznxZfRhw7oX4Wvtd0eEnzqDIz3lLiWhzF-iMDT3cupNseH/s4032/IMG_1508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HLkKqUryMKVs2oIgmDprYuXIqt4mXnWqkHT_f1WwbuGTABOq0J4FHXoITgi1m58pcZkyV33BhT_qkkyNQdgeAe1k-MxitUznxZfRhw7oX4Wvtd0eEnzqDIz3lLiWhzF-iMDT3cupNseH/w640-h480/IMG_1508.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p>Friends, as we go forward I hope to have more posts that encourage you to take your eyes from things that not within your control and trust the One who sovereignly holds it all together. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In the meantime, go ahead-make your homes beautiful.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">Open your doors to the weary and have those conversations that really matter.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">Encourage one another, love one another. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Speak truth. </span></span></p>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-18732867701086858372021-10-07T21:26:00.002-04:002021-10-16T11:26:11.023-04:00Picturing A New Fall Wreath<p>After being inspired by different images on the internet I decided my front door would benefit from a new wreath on the front door. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkONiCf5tEky1xVkbMBh000Eo9rXqRUUwp2lf_ynGjfizYSNThw7nHKeh8Jc70z92-wiTxDdJh6Kz8W_C6nSHnCDjMfn2m-OxKql0iF_kJLB6Mm3ym4RWbCHliVlPGRjPwEWdF2-6-Fn0/s2664/IMG_1802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="2110" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkONiCf5tEky1xVkbMBh000Eo9rXqRUUwp2lf_ynGjfizYSNThw7nHKeh8Jc70z92-wiTxDdJh6Kz8W_C6nSHnCDjMfn2m-OxKql0iF_kJLB6Mm3ym4RWbCHliVlPGRjPwEWdF2-6-Fn0/w506-h640/IMG_1802.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><p>My goal was to do it as inexpensively as possible, using what I had and what I could find at the Dollar Tree Store. </p><p>I have said this before but I will say it again in case you're new here... <b>Shop Your Stuff</b>. "What does that mean", you ask? Look around your home. What are you not using? What can be refreshed or used in a different way? I do not throw stuff away often. I will cycle items in and out of use in my home. Sometimes things will sit in a closet or on a shelf for a couple years and then be used somewhere else in a different way. Sometimes, I get tired of looking at something but simply moving it to different room or into a different arrangement makes me love it all over again. </p><p>So, I did look around and found an old picture frame. I had painted it with white chalk paint a few years ago for a gallery wall that has since been dismantled and it sat in my stash. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroN5BkZO54P8vinzEvk41HsaNxaarkJCt2w1EtvGnlq3gW-jNbGllRdmDd1__44RUsIMlPNTtNXQLRWOd0GXrupmJ5P9-Nf7icDxZXrygvQ5hhNbZy5JpWFq8bRGixP1vYybzm2r74O2K/s4032/IMG_1792.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroN5BkZO54P8vinzEvk41HsaNxaarkJCt2w1EtvGnlq3gW-jNbGllRdmDd1__44RUsIMlPNTtNXQLRWOd0GXrupmJ5P9-Nf7icDxZXrygvQ5hhNbZy5JpWFq8bRGixP1vYybzm2r74O2K/w480-h640/IMG_1792.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />It was a little too white for my liking now so I took some sandpaper to it and sanded back to the wood on the high points. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7G0v76f5DHWHEpwAypmzHoObARrJ0zjOR8eD7k7aZLzxB3mxEXSI7KOIao4-t6reV7PtQKy6boh-T_ypLJgvO79p166Iy71D1qBLgdreosjZYS1p__WGnkf68E3_-T4X0jCypro_aHix/s2048/IMG_1794.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7G0v76f5DHWHEpwAypmzHoObARrJ0zjOR8eD7k7aZLzxB3mxEXSI7KOIao4-t6reV7PtQKy6boh-T_ypLJgvO79p166Iy71D1qBLgdreosjZYS1p__WGnkf68E3_-T4X0jCypro_aHix/w480-h640/IMG_1794.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I spent less than $10 at the dollar store for leaf sprigs, pumpkins, flowers and wire-edged ribbon. (I did not end up using the fall sign here.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKCf1ECYTQV0wGZU4wGLivcvZSRir6OMY3Qj95nDWtqnvPXbOZqqDlgni8VXNAXRYlQzdfpJAuaQKsfSnJegqoBt-AkfbC6acPNPswBrQwIdgchuyebwIWt4KTEeYoAqvpymb-SlV3spa/s3708/IMG_1795.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2391" data-original-width="3708" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKCf1ECYTQV0wGZU4wGLivcvZSRir6OMY3Qj95nDWtqnvPXbOZqqDlgni8VXNAXRYlQzdfpJAuaQKsfSnJegqoBt-AkfbC6acPNPswBrQwIdgchuyebwIWt4KTEeYoAqvpymb-SlV3spa/w640-h412/IMG_1795.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I layed out my leaves and flowers for an idea of where I was headed and then I just jumped in. I began by cutting the excess stem and hot-gluing the leaf sprigs in place. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGo5tLOpHDqhBvYpEsPaPvrD6E2WTdGdBQvmA2vCIlTqrZ6bwyfmM61lafAj4ai0SuGrSvq3U-4aYdJ3ima0_J_jvr8Mk-1Mum9DWpVAgJLOVL8HzPuWoMZ4EtSqclHV43dr9bbqLG1bHN/s4032/IMG_1796.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGo5tLOpHDqhBvYpEsPaPvrD6E2WTdGdBQvmA2vCIlTqrZ6bwyfmM61lafAj4ai0SuGrSvq3U-4aYdJ3ima0_J_jvr8Mk-1Mum9DWpVAgJLOVL8HzPuWoMZ4EtSqclHV43dr9bbqLG1bHN/w480-h640/IMG_1796.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Using my wire cutters I clipped the flowers from their bunches.</p><p>I made a bow using <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwhNXVK4ahM" target="_blank">Nick's method here</a>. He does such a great job that I'll just leave it to him! </p><p>I wired and glued the bow into place and then added the flowers and pumpkin picks around the bow. This really is where you need to just feel your way. I don't want to put too many of these in place before my bow because I don't want the bow to cover them all up. </p><p>And here it is. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqR0Jh7t1d8jnbYu4gktXiu6_Q11Vl6GFG6ikB1zmU_f4Hs4hdCsIw00AL4O37zMcbPzhLHXElGMdTPR2g53PUg1j83Uxd6y33hoJuofz137zm9501L57DJ-T5Kz2pyQmHiROG_ZM-gkFG/s4032/IMG_1798.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqR0Jh7t1d8jnbYu4gktXiu6_Q11Vl6GFG6ikB1zmU_f4Hs4hdCsIw00AL4O37zMcbPzhLHXElGMdTPR2g53PUg1j83Uxd6y33hoJuofz137zm9501L57DJ-T5Kz2pyQmHiROG_ZM-gkFG/w480-h640/IMG_1798.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPY0ejG1TdEe86G0vlHCdwLazsmz1mdzwfPwp2HpyTaA2YD_XjH7OI4eWFSZqbg8ZrsDG7mr0Tj6VAo8VWOEuq6u5SthguuH9T1ilpvVOnjkAVMLBaQ_9Zveef73G9nSvbAEKh_sKzABsJ/s4595/DSC04842.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4595" data-original-width="3392" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPY0ejG1TdEe86G0vlHCdwLazsmz1mdzwfPwp2HpyTaA2YD_XjH7OI4eWFSZqbg8ZrsDG7mr0Tj6VAo8VWOEuq6u5SthguuH9T1ilpvVOnjkAVMLBaQ_9Zveef73G9nSvbAEKh_sKzABsJ/w472-h640/DSC04842.JPG" width="472" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My front porch is the first greeting my guests receive when they come to my home and now it is ready for Autumn! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Linking Up To These Blogs</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://katherinescorner.com/2021/10/14/autumn-flowers-pumpkins-and-tft-blog-hop/" target="_blank">Katherine's Corner</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-49702157434812177402021-10-04T06:15:00.001-04:002021-10-04T13:21:42.404-04:00A Guiding Light <p>Mister and I celebrated our 25th Anniversary this year! In 1996 we spent our honeymoon on Nantucket and it was perfect. There is a beautiful little lighthouse on the island called Brant Point. It is iconic, quintessential New England. But lighthouses, while romantic and beautiful to look at on a beautiful summer day, are vitally important in the storm to mariners who are in dangerous, uncertain waters. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsbkbzDlN_MrMGsHWsw7iJVHsOcogq-U8kQzJQyEaZNH12E0pF9O0Yk1daeVChsRqTj1ipDaLGR0XgzOuz57qIeYBynziRxWaBhGGTrf6wx1BVMkDEOvSsqAovodAde0CqxMPVqR-hZsL/s1626/IMG_0038.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1626" data-original-width="1099" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsbkbzDlN_MrMGsHWsw7iJVHsOcogq-U8kQzJQyEaZNH12E0pF9O0Yk1daeVChsRqTj1ipDaLGR0XgzOuz57qIeYBynziRxWaBhGGTrf6wx1BVMkDEOvSsqAovodAde0CqxMPVqR-hZsL/w432-h640/IMG_0038.png" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Totally unrelated (but bear with me), few years ago I had mister change out the light on our front porch for something more beachy looking. That old fixture became my inspiration piece. The metal was rusty and yucky but I tucked it away because it was telling me to! (Mister had wanted to throw it away!)</p><p>With a lot of time on our hands and not much to do during the pandemic we decided to build our own lighthouse as a homage to that memory. </p><p>Planning it out took some conversation. We considered doing it out of wood. The cost of wood is prohibitive, the angles to be cut were mind boggling, and rotting would be a factor considering it was to sit in the garden. So, concrete seemed a reasonable option. </p><p>Using an inverted tomato cage as our shape was part of our plan but that was going to be a LOT of concrete. We purchased a sonotube from Home Depot. Sonotubes are thick cardboard tubes that you fill with concrete to form columns or footings to build upon. We placed it in the center of the tomato cage and filled the space <b><i>between</i></b> the cage and the sonotube with concrete- leaving the center hollow. I TOOK NO PICTURES OF THIS! I get caught up in the project-sorry. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9vkZ6xyMDMbitlSHJgbQvf6OLCGyrFjwlRn1QMWHj3buuKr80O9-M7uu1djjx7wHJ7-YRxCGgafUzgkBB9TcJbkSPWnhLNJsYDKillTRbkayLzsABuEjYgBi4GYro76wsOxhK9GXu-Ty/s2048/IMG_2736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9vkZ6xyMDMbitlSHJgbQvf6OLCGyrFjwlRn1QMWHj3buuKr80O9-M7uu1djjx7wHJ7-YRxCGgafUzgkBB9TcJbkSPWnhLNJsYDKillTRbkayLzsABuEjYgBi4GYro76wsOxhK9GXu-Ty/w300-h400/IMG_2736.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA39t5jT2fLPX0YPSREyc3A5HGgVnnV4ZzlpWIJ9Oh3CqoMrikMGPsemPFfeyuHbEpFN3Q8Y2Sf__Ml24w2iaX0U_x6MjPWnQM3Xt7V5EUxolFYq-d0F9qaLpKBtjzhyphenhyphennctvXo9e7zuAP-/s2048/IMG_2737.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA39t5jT2fLPX0YPSREyc3A5HGgVnnV4ZzlpWIJ9Oh3CqoMrikMGPsemPFfeyuHbEpFN3Q8Y2Sf__Ml24w2iaX0U_x6MjPWnQM3Xt7V5EUxolFYq-d0F9qaLpKBtjzhyphenhyphennctvXo9e7zuAP-/w300-h400/IMG_2737.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>This project took about 10 bags of quick setting concrete. We mixed one bag at a time and packed it into place. Use thick gloves or this stuff will destroy your manicure! Because this is quick setting product time is important. You <b>cannot </b>stop, take a call, or go to pick up the kids in between. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXGFs3rfeWbM67t1vOm_RpVYNtabRiRC0fngeGI7hlcE5132iAPilYt-7RnbbM6E8zB7yLg3-H0bA1EnwOoJHrMwM6Pt-WdOLTV_WB9gTfwxv8TpoI2iaK9xiF14MkEPrLwLapV4kSdM7/s6000/DSC03668.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXGFs3rfeWbM67t1vOm_RpVYNtabRiRC0fngeGI7hlcE5132iAPilYt-7RnbbM6E8zB7yLg3-H0bA1EnwOoJHrMwM6Pt-WdOLTV_WB9gTfwxv8TpoI2iaK9xiF14MkEPrLwLapV4kSdM7/w266-h400/DSC03668.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC1TWXEg-g0xgUNBTuVaJAyNTiUcrDA8wParTx9Yj6XNNKhteRLF2sQKQVuHC40B8fmQ1spP6T0WfR_pvtJC-KwoSTObTv8XkFXMSqFflPZ_BkPpaw8kmeS3YCGgjCv2LTiwUPR31SVaH/s6000/DSC03675.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC1TWXEg-g0xgUNBTuVaJAyNTiUcrDA8wParTx9Yj6XNNKhteRLF2sQKQVuHC40B8fmQ1spP6T0WfR_pvtJC-KwoSTObTv8XkFXMSqFflPZ_BkPpaw8kmeS3YCGgjCv2LTiwUPR31SVaH/w266-h400/DSC03675.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><p>Once everything was packed well another bag was mixed a little soup-ier (loose). Mister used this as a smoothing coat over everything.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwYJVEhDHBiqEpxTFwhP1zL9fsaD_FBwhx1qBAOigKT7u5yoydiWpmat7Y99S_rB3Qmv6e7_giUMPl3RUFSwiJ4GGivIKzXtDhDcmItJf-cGa3dykyMz359cgMN1cPT_f-PW2B79uoGlx/s6000/DSC03680.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwYJVEhDHBiqEpxTFwhP1zL9fsaD_FBwhx1qBAOigKT7u5yoydiWpmat7Y99S_rB3Qmv6e7_giUMPl3RUFSwiJ4GGivIKzXtDhDcmItJf-cGa3dykyMz359cgMN1cPT_f-PW2B79uoGlx/w266-h400/DSC03680.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><p></p><p>The metal prongs that would normally be pushed into the ground on the tomato cage were still sticking up past that first circular ring. He cut them off with wire snips. Level out the top where your base and light fixture will sit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6T3mmbV6Uwfx6GN5gBUAEM2JMWI7EAUrzHWmMMaOAFBThKXNCOkoujsQ_J1avBokveUFm1Gnb3adLwtmKd2K02u7A1GW-1vcYFJXoSPwObT1wESYWKyzNqCDCSphqThyWq6q0R1xrgMk/s6000/DSC03677.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6T3mmbV6Uwfx6GN5gBUAEM2JMWI7EAUrzHWmMMaOAFBThKXNCOkoujsQ_J1avBokveUFm1Gnb3adLwtmKd2K02u7A1GW-1vcYFJXoSPwObT1wESYWKyzNqCDCSphqThyWq6q0R1xrgMk/w266-h400/DSC03677.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><p>I attempted to make a concrete disk to sit on the top using a plant tray, the kind that catches water under a potted plant. Without rebar it broke apart. </p><p><b>Plan B.</b> We purchased two round, wood disks at Home Depot, a can of black spray paint and solar lights (we bought 2; one for backup) used to light up walkways, doweling, small eye hooks and black chain all for less than $35, I think.</p><p>Mister glued and screwed the two wood discs together. He then drilled holes around the outer edge to accept doweling. I cut the dowels to length, glued and inserted them into the holes. After the glue dried, eye hooks were screwed into the tops of each dowel. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19i0MQtsEFq9sUMyFBlvZqa9Z4AbQgr7PqUs6Nh5c0ximqLjR0yDN4-RSqRidI-2hELaTrLF3QIZXhE2_w_Vi0vQHZFkW05CA_mQw_oiyMLYOtQ_5UuUR3cBc7tuokVswPU5W9KjKZS1d/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="213" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19i0MQtsEFq9sUMyFBlvZqa9Z4AbQgr7PqUs6Nh5c0ximqLjR0yDN4-RSqRidI-2hELaTrLF3QIZXhE2_w_Vi0vQHZFkW05CA_mQw_oiyMLYOtQ_5UuUR3cBc7tuokVswPU5W9KjKZS1d/w267-h400/image.png" width="267" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>We had some pvc board and mister cut and mitered pieces into a hexagonal shape to elevate our light fixture as it just sat too low and looked wimpy. That was screwed into the round discs. We did cut a large hole through the center of the wood discs to allow water to pass.</p><p><b><i>Very</i> <i>little</i> </b>sanding happened (because that was my job)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXiJMQphmPKwYEosKnzcqqv3THXLgPiOggXcasMPJV0B_eZ0H2uidazqiBzWVcG7iVa1Q99ZJiyCFCVJVT7SzgCIYsiDluxfhmiN7U2yaPp9k9DH_TROwDj2SkPu4ib3bEhhg6FnaP4AF/s2048/IMG_2850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1826" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXiJMQphmPKwYEosKnzcqqv3THXLgPiOggXcasMPJV0B_eZ0H2uidazqiBzWVcG7iVa1Q99ZJiyCFCVJVT7SzgCIYsiDluxfhmiN7U2yaPp9k9DH_TROwDj2SkPu4ib3bEhhg6FnaP4AF/s320/IMG_2850.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjX-DUWVWvn6fPv_pqIADzhZkdCOC0hh6cS8CS_sBARgnt0P8ADfKmU9IyQEqk-ItySQZjaea0fAtQvZvhPUEm3xL4ru1IWO7BzAJYWgOjxx62xsJYO3oZR8ATKLMR1VewQDNfWS-2N6G/s2048/IMG_2851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1678" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjX-DUWVWvn6fPv_pqIADzhZkdCOC0hh6cS8CS_sBARgnt0P8ADfKmU9IyQEqk-ItySQZjaea0fAtQvZvhPUEm3xL4ru1IWO7BzAJYWgOjxx62xsJYO3oZR8ATKLMR1VewQDNfWS-2N6G/w328-h400/IMG_2851.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIuqTvVEBb0U8doXvl3cX-1XUnc_aEFx3KOs41kUDvvL43zzOkoh8hc0Iu-oqGYlY_BNWLquneg8Vm9OwVSS9R61RubdNu8qPP_JjnRaZmIzoOZA34dfGFN2ABa34n_O7HUfJWfpmgrXa/s2048/IMG_2852.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIuqTvVEBb0U8doXvl3cX-1XUnc_aEFx3KOs41kUDvvL43zzOkoh8hc0Iu-oqGYlY_BNWLquneg8Vm9OwVSS9R61RubdNu8qPP_JjnRaZmIzoOZA34dfGFN2ABa34n_O7HUfJWfpmgrXa/w300-h400/IMG_2852.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I painted it black. When that dried we added the chain through the eye hooks. The base got a few coats of exterior white paint.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvWiMzbHhEuxupiLZFFWLHeBapAw00kAUuZOvJowjbh5VWq8AEnU34omUGfPAA5Wv-Ipk65AEYOC2O1_6iu11bdwDWnfTPHybZ94Qnqp3oV3VSZV_5Gv1KMz3adAZZHgWnqsaXr4fB_R6/s2048/IMG_2883.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvWiMzbHhEuxupiLZFFWLHeBapAw00kAUuZOvJowjbh5VWq8AEnU34omUGfPAA5Wv-Ipk65AEYOC2O1_6iu11bdwDWnfTPHybZ94Qnqp3oV3VSZV_5Gv1KMz3adAZZHgWnqsaXr4fB_R6/w300-h400/IMG_2883.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cRsGRAvkdv26EPZONUImPnTJklW4DWL8M7zf1sZxYQPBWAXaUZb2H2NcWfaqHkwB_xrPwvYZzrfjxa89ltdgSKKWtpFutNT-zv1WGXZ3KrUy3N_3km5UKSuJ1A8dffEj_AFwFJ6YNq5T/s2941/DSC03683.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2941" data-original-width="2279" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cRsGRAvkdv26EPZONUImPnTJklW4DWL8M7zf1sZxYQPBWAXaUZb2H2NcWfaqHkwB_xrPwvYZzrfjxa89ltdgSKKWtpFutNT-zv1WGXZ3KrUy3N_3km5UKSuJ1A8dffEj_AFwFJ6YNq5T/w310-h400/DSC03683.JPG" width="310" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p>A little deconstruction of the original light fixture, a little black spray paint and the insertion of our deconstructed solar light and we have a mighty fine (or at least functional) lighting mechanism. </p><p>Mister used silicon to attach the disc to the top of the concrete structure. Also, lesson learned during a storm, that a dab of silicon to secure the solar light was necessary. Good thing we bought 2! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSgEYrDvB3XtyrhUJC1i5ZmbuDJMDkkhR41X9RRyOYoB5yXVpYJxXdDK4fAJqNcryVfqUxkKgw3ZiXjUbUpFOP1N23b5VbC6A1_Ga2cQcse1mAW4aMA2TehxMLsHYlFNEpgH7np8S1mHR/s2048/IMG_2887.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1935" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSgEYrDvB3XtyrhUJC1i5ZmbuDJMDkkhR41X9RRyOYoB5yXVpYJxXdDK4fAJqNcryVfqUxkKgw3ZiXjUbUpFOP1N23b5VbC6A1_Ga2cQcse1mAW4aMA2TehxMLsHYlFNEpgH7np8S1mHR/w378-h400/IMG_2887.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXop7GOskm7KhEszl3qoL4hrKwAoHpmoIrsF1Nd_aJbuWr4RdIts6QBijTgtiz7l2_IfkK-v9EowjdfXTphJ54vi_rDTPtfLaJioLoBuW22nxtIwfjohjm_DGB0D-tOt7J5lrq2Q06oQ_o/s2048/IMG_2891.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXop7GOskm7KhEszl3qoL4hrKwAoHpmoIrsF1Nd_aJbuWr4RdIts6QBijTgtiz7l2_IfkK-v9EowjdfXTphJ54vi_rDTPtfLaJioLoBuW22nxtIwfjohjm_DGB0D-tOt7J5lrq2Q06oQ_o/w400-h400/IMG_2891.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-2Wo-TrmpszFqQGjEcU34v4900mWB3dm0g0RWQsdxsilktq-X_sTsDoLLQOnBBfRkg-47v04gH9Koe_i79CbJv05Sfh2qwJ53uFSObkSfPq9oKh4IwEw1sCX27DouuP5U1jx_SgXp2zi/s3507/IMG_0624.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3507" data-original-width="2547" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-2Wo-TrmpszFqQGjEcU34v4900mWB3dm0g0RWQsdxsilktq-X_sTsDoLLQOnBBfRkg-47v04gH9Koe_i79CbJv05Sfh2qwJ53uFSObkSfPq9oKh4IwEw1sCX27DouuP5U1jx_SgXp2zi/w464-h640/IMG_0624.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><br /><br />On hot nights we sat on our porch watching the light from the summer sun retreat. Just as the last bit of sun goes out the lighthouse shines bright! 25 years of marriage... wow. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">In all the craziness of the past 2 years I am most thankful that when </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I am with my husband I am in a safe harbor. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">God has blessed us both in this marriage.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> And, though these times are dangerous and uncertain He has been our guiding light. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaqCZvaI2sYqtMXKn-m-y3OmtO9ZLwPptj7muv3GR36BfW83hDUnxAjWYLFcmEgzDPrGjgcWoN85vzqar5iLO0vT7D4XOMvB6i_TYFSa0LFOpd8P_kjYrJuCDAMfIIRRfAMwWOWZMFG6E/s2997/IMG_1620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2997" data-original-width="2581" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaqCZvaI2sYqtMXKn-m-y3OmtO9ZLwPptj7muv3GR36BfW83hDUnxAjWYLFcmEgzDPrGjgcWoN85vzqar5iLO0vT7D4XOMvB6i_TYFSa0LFOpd8P_kjYrJuCDAMfIIRRfAMwWOWZMFG6E/w552-h640/IMG_1620.jpg" width="552" /></a>t</div></div><p></p><p><br /></p>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-65598111798538894882021-03-12T14:12:00.008-05:002021-03-25T07:36:08.212-04:00Spring Basket <p>It's been a while since I have posted. For me, and maybe for you, the political and civil unrest in our country has just had my mind preoccupied. I have found that my peace is easily affected by what I allow to come in. More time in prayer and in the Word always serves me well. Too much time on social media or watching the television and I get discouraged. So the obvious answer is to spend more time with Jesus and less time with all the other stuff, right? A simple "I'll just check Fakebook" turns into a wasted hour and more stories and images and "I-can't-believe-that"s than I ever wanted in my day. I know I am not alone and just wanted to let you know that if that is how things have been for you, you are not alone.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp_pCsLrQYWcrCTgDjUPlaZp3kQJRUyx1pjZTIktBQU42HTcUYX_MQtBPss856fZPKzUXj8URuN1-fvjimZEwfgExrTDy-nKMTcKyuMusfEN2SddDgaBQs9WNEncN5Zz5xJRGZbBkW1dc/s2048/DSC04449+wm.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1855" data-original-width="2048" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp_pCsLrQYWcrCTgDjUPlaZp3kQJRUyx1pjZTIktBQU42HTcUYX_MQtBPss856fZPKzUXj8URuN1-fvjimZEwfgExrTDy-nKMTcKyuMusfEN2SddDgaBQs9WNEncN5Zz5xJRGZbBkW1dc/w640-h580/DSC04449+wm.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>I need to refocus! Spring is here and I decided I could use a change. For now I will concentrate on my arrangement for the front door. I thought I would show you what I had up the past two Spring seasons but apparently I only shared it on IG. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyk0vyqV3p1uvEG5xO67KW5ZS7TrGM68rhBDCIu0XCKh622IG-SPOFvwpGGi9stGhOtIGUPO-dcxbQck_4r0Z0frhFrN02QRuLVxhWLzm9yyskHtviCK6YQskRaOt74xm-yBdpI6wJUhNn/s834/yellow+and+purple+basket.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyk0vyqV3p1uvEG5xO67KW5ZS7TrGM68rhBDCIu0XCKh622IG-SPOFvwpGGi9stGhOtIGUPO-dcxbQck_4r0Z0frhFrN02QRuLVxhWLzm9yyskHtviCK6YQskRaOt74xm-yBdpI6wJUhNn/w492-h640/yellow+and+purple+basket.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwqGh4jV9qWl2_4lOwvH-hWvpFoJ3DGicHhClrYlLByhsx6rMLSrn3Q_vV9J-nxn3JwNFmJgUjY59fwHGg04UxZC_rYJl-YjaFNI7D120GQcO9Ms2HVMNAYsVtqeYPYrJToY3qUU7IfQJ/s833/yellow+purple+spring+basket.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwqGh4jV9qWl2_4lOwvH-hWvpFoJ3DGicHhClrYlLByhsx6rMLSrn3Q_vV9J-nxn3JwNFmJgUjY59fwHGg04UxZC_rYJl-YjaFNI7D120GQcO9Ms2HVMNAYsVtqeYPYrJToY3qUU7IfQJ/w492-h640/yellow+purple+spring+basket.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><p>Armed with a coupon and a small budget I went off to my local Michael's store. Their spring florals were 50% off. I found some ribbon in the discount section that went well with the sprays I picked out. Because everything was on sale I didn't even need to use the coupon and I spent about $20! </p><p><span>I have a Longaberger basket that I have used for arrangements in years past and I always have some sort of floral foam hiding in my stash. Any basket would do. I just used what I have.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagAoVPgBaZuEq6L1-3In7Ba1gllEQhC3eruYA6BAk1tg1UjdPMU4LtSk-zXEixUriQ4Xf2hH0i2xObNJtWCRAJhltrLTuk1YvfQDF3Wk5fnYBBtKkiK1ae4Yf1J3RIi7sqvnTaaeikW1Z/s6000/DSC04428.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagAoVPgBaZuEq6L1-3In7Ba1gllEQhC3eruYA6BAk1tg1UjdPMU4LtSk-zXEixUriQ4Xf2hH0i2xObNJtWCRAJhltrLTuk1YvfQDF3Wk5fnYBBtKkiK1ae4Yf1J3RIi7sqvnTaaeikW1Z/w640-h426/DSC04428.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I put the floral foam into the basket. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQiu-lUBPFRbosfKCG05uqiZOohMLNAFqk0wARHSAI33S_mB3v9yj6OvgdiRQPvjyDIcgj98ajWDfv6hbRIfhCuoa_esyGJJx2SX5-HUnRaXU8gTotpZ3LqCJQD8ETmTY2qx1-IyxSB_1/s6000/DSC04430.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQiu-lUBPFRbosfKCG05uqiZOohMLNAFqk0wARHSAI33S_mB3v9yj6OvgdiRQPvjyDIcgj98ajWDfv6hbRIfhCuoa_esyGJJx2SX5-HUnRaXU8gTotpZ3LqCJQD8ETmTY2qx1-IyxSB_1/w640-h426/DSC04430.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>My basket is about 10" tall so I want my arrangement to extend about the 10" above the rim of the basket. (A good rule of thumb is to make your arrangements 1 1/2- 2 times the size of your container height.)</span></div><p></p><p>I left the main flowers, peonies, in the cluster they were purchased in and just moved the wired stems around. I shoved that whole stem right into the foam! The first time I inserted I realized my arrangement would be too tall so I moved them to the back side of the foam block and adjusted the blooms.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1qmcU20PbQ4LNYUiXklLTqPsJNhniaX4YFYqtaFitqiBUEgrEbFDUT3GK9eMTpN6qyN991haRLzrlyM7WnGWiyW5L_1V8_uiwzOImmae-JarjM6AalUOgQaAbonJHeiP15CXcH3a3_mX/s6000/DSC04431.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1qmcU20PbQ4LNYUiXklLTqPsJNhniaX4YFYqtaFitqiBUEgrEbFDUT3GK9eMTpN6qyN991haRLzrlyM7WnGWiyW5L_1V8_uiwzOImmae-JarjM6AalUOgQaAbonJHeiP15CXcH3a3_mX/w426-h640/DSC04431.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQX52I-cjT2dZ9Q7Lc2bSEaORkOF9MTJ6n-gDGwL4trLfOsuKTnJ99sw5Pkyidl3Yx5shnUCWwc8MEIFuQaDy3-0Lm2Vl2e_l-PH7fnWGc6XkkGJcuh7edJa7NhqZWmgOKqjQrEAbOELED/s6000/DSC04434.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQX52I-cjT2dZ9Q7Lc2bSEaORkOF9MTJ6n-gDGwL4trLfOsuKTnJ99sw5Pkyidl3Yx5shnUCWwc8MEIFuQaDy3-0Lm2Vl2e_l-PH7fnWGc6XkkGJcuh7edJa7NhqZWmgOKqjQrEAbOELED/w426-h640/DSC04434.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSgksheCHCX_qVyMPoxq1u45CQa-SflGGKJQNSaJ1juD2JGWLuofZpEcPyt12o9H9y0qW0oxRgewdKqJBHa0zXv3d2y4oOwQbEBp2UU98-5vw9Ux3lZPwrKun2J3r_OtHeUvHG8gi8vr8/s6000/DSC04435.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSgksheCHCX_qVyMPoxq1u45CQa-SflGGKJQNSaJ1juD2JGWLuofZpEcPyt12o9H9y0qW0oxRgewdKqJBHa0zXv3d2y4oOwQbEBp2UU98-5vw9Ux3lZPwrKun2J3r_OtHeUvHG8gi8vr8/w426-h640/DSC04435.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><p>I used wire cutters to separate the cosmos and purple flowers from their bunches to allow for individual placement.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRvaLLoZvNe7OMnxvIKDdAdDuy9DYejlvksDiZIKbh31bh5a7WGcRHFNDxGn3IRYgC2nzGTDItRTvkzi_bQn5oYxAyjh3ht56Qgcmn11yp8V5xUqtXMYqjM4r6m3VcK0IAdqrxJbBca3L/s6000/DSC04437.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRvaLLoZvNe7OMnxvIKDdAdDuy9DYejlvksDiZIKbh31bh5a7WGcRHFNDxGn3IRYgC2nzGTDItRTvkzi_bQn5oYxAyjh3ht56Qgcmn11yp8V5xUqtXMYqjM4r6m3VcK0IAdqrxJbBca3L/w640-h426/DSC04437.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsUGBVjNpKr7YPNCuOogetM7UVtPsbosGfSkMnMwuO1nbPfvdoRcVOVN8KsMDX8ORs3yjfQOW6HBl9erv9Jm2C00zXYleZwAaeaWVuCjWrvWT-SGP137wvg8pBRaEx1kDKRze9HZKb1ho/s6000/DSC04436.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsUGBVjNpKr7YPNCuOogetM7UVtPsbosGfSkMnMwuO1nbPfvdoRcVOVN8KsMDX8ORs3yjfQOW6HBl9erv9Jm2C00zXYleZwAaeaWVuCjWrvWT-SGP137wvg8pBRaEx1kDKRze9HZKb1ho/w426-h640/DSC04436.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><p>You can dip these in hot glue as you are placing them in. I tend to use and reuse and didn't want to make them so permanent so just stabbing them into the floral foam was enough for me. </p><p>To keep the whole thing from blowing out of the basket on a windy day I crisscross floral wire through the flowers, securing the ends to the top of the basket rim. </p><p>Lastly, I fashioned a bow. I started with one small center loop and two larger loops on either side, adding long tails. I tied the whole thing together with floral wire. For $3 worth of ribbon I am happy with the outcome. I attached it to the basket with the floral wire. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5RdlUnfYFLEqWUrNDg1nHrT4eWJor3JCa08K_YJGACM_mMX13V-CSzsAdF10LIrO_AxMOOthO-R_EW3g_d1m9l0-MXITUnAdCl8wXxipPSNBMaYU06RmAs74kcwCHWstcg1ZO3bjDBXZ/s4231/DSC04452.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4231" data-original-width="3917" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5RdlUnfYFLEqWUrNDg1nHrT4eWJor3JCa08K_YJGACM_mMX13V-CSzsAdF10LIrO_AxMOOthO-R_EW3g_d1m9l0-MXITUnAdCl8wXxipPSNBMaYU06RmAs74kcwCHWstcg1ZO3bjDBXZ/w592-h640/DSC04452.JPG" width="592" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For now it is hanging indoors but will be moved to the front door once St. Patrick's Day has passed and my wooden shamrock makes it's way back into storage for the year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Are you working on any springtime projects? I would love to see them. You can share them with me on either <a href="https://www.instagram.com/whileilinger/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/While-I-Linger-296119733894417" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for visiting! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Linking up to these parties</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.shabbyartboutique.com/2021/03/create-bake-grow-gather-party-461.html" target="_blank">Shabby Art Boutique</a>, <a href="https://blueskyathome.com/tuesday-turn-about-link-party-91/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=new_tuesday_turn_about_link_party_from_bluesky_at_home&utm_term=2021-03-16" target="_blank">Blue Sky At Home</a>, <a href="https://www.ourhopefulhome.com/2021/03/vintage-charm-party-276.html">Our Hopeful Home</a>, <a href="https://grammysgrid.com/a-themed-linkup-48-for-crafts-and-diy/" target="_blank">Grammy's Grid</a>, <a href="https://katherinescorner.com/2021/03/18/spring-things-and-tft-blog-hop/" target="_blank">Katherine's Corner</a>, <a href="https://www.commonground-do.com/2021/03/spring-is-here-at-all-about-home-84.html" target="_blank">Common Ground</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-20195376090939453352020-12-21T07:58:00.006-05:002020-12-26T13:32:09.484-05:00A Different Christmas 2020<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Did you decorate for Christmas early this year? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl86VIEEAjjw8uMoAa6kx77KvneiBEjeHg09FeN2woMVa3HVTw5MA4ziPggRDrbEHfXe4RkYRBlY2zHdPlKi9GwAVZN6PhuBeyyUtjIYQ_EWKDoAyvX0Xihnc-cP420RUZfX9ej8JA6-1l/s5597/DSC04363.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3731" data-original-width="5597" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl86VIEEAjjw8uMoAa6kx77KvneiBEjeHg09FeN2woMVa3HVTw5MA4ziPggRDrbEHfXe4RkYRBlY2zHdPlKi9GwAVZN6PhuBeyyUtjIYQ_EWKDoAyvX0Xihnc-cP420RUZfX9ej8JA6-1l/w640-h426/DSC04363.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ulyW4m5plXDgOworHiCOWoBBu2fVYBd-tw75OctQ56gFVhIpBF7A8vuZUH8nQ2CvrkasjfJ9Rhh1R9ZpK2Qn4VgCWgiq4jdp78MnmQetbsmvn309kKBkrTNd-9mlzE9E0Q_iK20ZA5e3/s6000/DSC04377.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ulyW4m5plXDgOworHiCOWoBBu2fVYBd-tw75OctQ56gFVhIpBF7A8vuZUH8nQ2CvrkasjfJ9Rhh1R9ZpK2Qn4VgCWgiq4jdp78MnmQetbsmvn309kKBkrTNd-9mlzE9E0Q_iK20ZA5e3/w426-h640/DSC04377.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Reports around these parts were that tree farms were selling out early this year. At least a week before Thanksgiving I saw many tress in the windows of homes near me. Each one I passed filled me with the warm, familiar glow of hope. I think many of us decorated early attempting to find that nostalgia as we are searching for some semblance of normal, something familiar that gives us comfort.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFb6bRhT-2PJsmirzvqs_A0au6HxhU0LOjq2UxprliN-IB_qK9qgcoEEdXU1etCAwBvqEZRdsoCu7tToW2aSFAO9O9FtaFBS78qb3D4MJYMqNlugySF4YaUhdWbyDnrQsQB53sDVtYjby/s6000/DSC04160.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFb6bRhT-2PJsmirzvqs_A0au6HxhU0LOjq2UxprliN-IB_qK9qgcoEEdXU1etCAwBvqEZRdsoCu7tToW2aSFAO9O9FtaFBS78qb3D4MJYMqNlugySF4YaUhdWbyDnrQsQB53sDVtYjby/w426-h640/DSC04160.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">We've not been to craft fairs, shopping sprees, and Black Friday sales this year. There were no cantatas or Christmas concerts to perform or attend. Work parties, Christmas parties with friends and loved ones have all been canceled. These things have become traditions in our annual celebrations. What would Christmas be without them? I found myself grumbling and complaining and looking forward to turning the page on the calendar... Maybe I should just hibernate until this chaotic, unsettled year is over. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgz3ojT3Mlo72OLkxQ5zsYSU5MyF4NRt8451n4X3hhYoMcAkonPWrWIL0fsgmVfZokBDxXTYnMVPBvOQYmai20uMrQnzc4MuNxXqa7jehAEZD2NEvEpRV2mNjc2v__78tu7L3Fnp8QLFh/s6000/DSC04335.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgz3ojT3Mlo72OLkxQ5zsYSU5MyF4NRt8451n4X3hhYoMcAkonPWrWIL0fsgmVfZokBDxXTYnMVPBvOQYmai20uMrQnzc4MuNxXqa7jehAEZD2NEvEpRV2mNjc2v__78tu7L3Fnp8QLFh/w640-h426/DSC04335.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas was always a big deal when I was kid. My mother pulled out all the stops. Nothing was left untouched by Christmas magic. Tree decorating was a party night accompanied by a tray of cookies and treats, eggnog and tinsel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdZpAxjqeQ1chveibIwRrPO9yNuYNJtwDUIWje0mR2K9A969nkWB3Z7smw1TVaLiJqRERhdRsjdC_ye3lU6emWi8hxoKSMTXqB9cIlRI7CvmuTcSctebERYBp0PZ9i9xQ4KouGsG7Wm4M/s6000/DSC04101+%25283%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdZpAxjqeQ1chveibIwRrPO9yNuYNJtwDUIWje0mR2K9A969nkWB3Z7smw1TVaLiJqRERhdRsjdC_ye3lU6emWi8hxoKSMTXqB9cIlRI7CvmuTcSctebERYBp0PZ9i9xQ4KouGsG7Wm4M/w640-h426/DSC04101+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have kept that tradition with my own children. Even though they all live elsewhere now we still held the tradition this year with two of our daughters coming to spend an evening with us. We gathered around cookies and familiar decorations, each carrying memories and stories. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsofBg_WMHvnd_1sl5Do_TxzYJV-QlnJR4taQPGVZ0vRP2M3KG_bQXW-cF3aL_fbUTteGenGT3WPW7ITboOUvAoo002z7ZxS6k8LEQT9gD8n31MeVN2wH9SKhZlrP7GpZcPp3EK3nokb4/s3932/DSC04060+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3547" data-original-width="3932" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsofBg_WMHvnd_1sl5Do_TxzYJV-QlnJR4taQPGVZ0vRP2M3KG_bQXW-cF3aL_fbUTteGenGT3WPW7ITboOUvAoo002z7ZxS6k8LEQT9gD8n31MeVN2wH9SKhZlrP7GpZcPp3EK3nokb4/w640-h578/DSC04060+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While the world has spiraled out of control outside our front door the things that bind us drew us together to prepare for the celebration of Christmas. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYUNHi59o0qZD9Ev5upL2_VEwD7ijgOHzrfoEiF60evIAMAvMYDSkUdXsynVxTzEXFclJqgt6h276uhWcgph3xKmFij1IObkhoOBrSQzWJdkpr0nH3xB9BQ7q_HX8roT48quiJQzu3VFH/s6000/DSC04152.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYUNHi59o0qZD9Ev5upL2_VEwD7ijgOHzrfoEiF60evIAMAvMYDSkUdXsynVxTzEXFclJqgt6h276uhWcgph3xKmFij1IObkhoOBrSQzWJdkpr0nH3xB9BQ7q_HX8roT48quiJQzu3VFH/w640-h426/DSC04152.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When my family comes home and shuts the door I want all that other stuff left outside-it can wait. Inside, it is Christmas. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtGx5qC72nyaUTG7JGxNdHpt8Yg8J5tFbV86vmdj1m9ICX9HxOP9CifM9_T1zuQ__3_s94wRnWHHIzgulCE5o3NS8Hxp4ZzZXnZ6AhCWajbPK0uoODnRqYx7syMMwCGLShTWiSygdWEul/s4407/DSC04071.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3738" data-original-width="4407" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtGx5qC72nyaUTG7JGxNdHpt8Yg8J5tFbV86vmdj1m9ICX9HxOP9CifM9_T1zuQ__3_s94wRnWHHIzgulCE5o3NS8Hxp4ZzZXnZ6AhCWajbPK0uoODnRqYx7syMMwCGLShTWiSygdWEul/w640-h542/DSC04071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqlWeijah7ESmKX5h6R6nC_TKmEGOPNPfo81RvndKUfckMtFeiuTvI_Uaa2iqGfCweP2uMypHf_McZnV24YBEV0sSjwkZ9N7G4vZlXsk7IAC4-yq24zUsnoxDjcenMrcNI1B7qzYYObFt/s6000/DSC04138.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqlWeijah7ESmKX5h6R6nC_TKmEGOPNPfo81RvndKUfckMtFeiuTvI_Uaa2iqGfCweP2uMypHf_McZnV24YBEV0sSjwkZ9N7G4vZlXsk7IAC4-yq24zUsnoxDjcenMrcNI1B7qzYYObFt/w640-h426/DSC04138.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We don't celebrate because of or to do all those other fun things. Christmas has not been canceled! We keep Christmas because of the very name sake of the holiday-Christ. Our hope is not in our government, our medicine, or our masks. My hope, my reason for celebration, is a birthday celebration of Jesus. And there is where I was reminded of the source of true joy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi4kdN0rUmEsGlpUyVHCqINGka71SmGGXkdfxf0d5-y9sph9MZ4bNvrJ6C_XAINze4UgAcg85W9DfHkBGeMvAisQgHDQI71GYZMY0K0mk4lFKT5xALjjLPAp5QtDFbXRZSAq6lpjZFi4O/s5349/DSC04322+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5349" data-original-width="3976" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi4kdN0rUmEsGlpUyVHCqINGka71SmGGXkdfxf0d5-y9sph9MZ4bNvrJ6C_XAINze4UgAcg85W9DfHkBGeMvAisQgHDQI71GYZMY0K0mk4lFKT5xALjjLPAp5QtDFbXRZSAq6lpjZFi4O/w476-h640/DSC04322+%25282%2529.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2Pd6oQQWWkaK9Uj8Xw7h26Y6GtXF3W51shp5t21LrW4PqTvhg5oTpCbw98gSaivMQOzECt5-wtSwEZvHaLyJVjKbrQhASlEBZay1WN1pOCdatEBGme61hzaU_M2LabqhtviRQ66VylqR/s6000/DSC04117.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2Pd6oQQWWkaK9Uj8Xw7h26Y6GtXF3W51shp5t21LrW4PqTvhg5oTpCbw98gSaivMQOzECt5-wtSwEZvHaLyJVjKbrQhASlEBZay1WN1pOCdatEBGme61hzaU_M2LabqhtviRQ66VylqR/w640-h426/DSC04117.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I remembered the turning point for the Grinch in Dr. Suess's How The Grinch Stole Christmas. The Grinch had done everything in his earthly power to destroy the spirit of a people who extravagantly celebrated Christmas. Wasn't he surprised, baffled, and ultimately changed when he heard their voices raise in joy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then in Suess rhyme I penned a new line...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They haven't stopped Christmas from coming! </div><div style="text-align: center;">It came! </div><div style="text-align: center;">It came without plays, </div><div style="text-align: center;">without </div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas markets.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> It came without festivals, </div><div style="text-align: center;">parties, </div><div style="text-align: center;">or concerts! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirztOmqYVG3Tjev1YvLUONMOQs9GFWzUoGX3MODcRincghP64qgw5RqlgDwrbUvKJ5ie1keB4s_bWdZdaGAKV9AkGbY0WQoop-lk5kW0GlDcTW6qR8eJFCnS4ZGQSOtC9MR4fmCNEJLXBm/s6000/DSC04044.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirztOmqYVG3Tjev1YvLUONMOQs9GFWzUoGX3MODcRincghP64qgw5RqlgDwrbUvKJ5ie1keB4s_bWdZdaGAKV9AkGbY0WQoop-lk5kW0GlDcTW6qR8eJFCnS4ZGQSOtC9MR4fmCNEJLXBm/w640-h426/DSC04044.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It came!</div><div style="text-align: center;">He came!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jesus didn't come and sacrifice himself for me so that I could do all those many things that I fill my Christmases with. He came to remove the debt of my rebellion against the one, true God. He came to give me a peace that no earthly Grinch can steal. He came to make me a child a God; an heir of a home that is not of this world. He came to give me a mission and that mission is to glorify Him. I cannot do that grumbling about all the things I think I am missing, For truly, there is nothing missing, nothing I lack. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He has given me everything I need. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/1+John+5:20/" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration-line: none;">1 John 5:20</a> </span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;">- And we know that the Son of God </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;">has</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;"> come and </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;">has</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;"> </span><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;">given</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;"> us understanding, </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;"><i>so that we may know him who is true; </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;"><i>and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="search-match" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px dotted var(--main-text-color); color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;">He</span><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;"> is the true God</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;"><i> and</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;"><i> eternal life.</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Praying that your celebrations are filled with the miraculous blessing of knowing this </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christ of Christmas. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;">Linking up: </span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://grammysgrid.com/faith-and-worship-christian-weekend-15/" target="_blank">Grammy's Grid</a>, <a href="https://www.findingsilverpennies.com/silver-pennies-sundays-link-party-390/" target="_blank">Finding Silver Pennies</a>, <a href="https://ducksnarow.com/2020/12/happiness-is-homemade-link-party-56.html" target="_blank">Ducks N'A Row</a>, <a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-different-christmas-2020.html" target="_blank">Follow The Yellow Brick Home</a>, <a href="https://www.astrollthrulife.net/2020/12/571st-inspire-me-tuesday.html" target="_blank">A Stroll Thru Life</a>, <a href="https://lovemylittlecottage.com/little-cottage-link-party-82-christmas-celebration/" target="_blank">Love My Little Cottage</a>, <a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/2020/12/saturday-sparks-link-party-405.html" target="_blank">Pieced Pastimes</a>, <a href="https://myweeabode.com/tuesday-turn-about-christmas-tablescapes/" target="_blank">My Wee Abode</a>, <a href="https://www.zucchinisisters.com/celebrate-your-story-262/" target="_blank">Zucchini Sisters</a>, <a href="https://grammysgrid.com/unlimited-monthly-link-party-20/" target="_blank">Grammy's Grid</a>, <a href="https://www.shabbyartboutique.com/2020/12/create-bake-grow-gather-party-451.html" target="_blank">Shabby Art Boutique</a></span></div>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-38509569789169137332020-12-11T15:26:00.005-05:002020-12-20T18:51:28.590-05:00Christmas In The Dining Room <p style="text-align: center;">I couldn't wait to start decorating for Christmas this year. I have been taking some design classes online and I have been binge watching one of my favorite decorators. After like a bazillion Christmas videos I was ready. I did not start in the dining room out of respect for Mister who wanted it to still look Thanksgiving-y for the turkey dinner. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I obliged but I had plans and once the turkey was put away I got busy! </p><p style="text-align: center;">Remember the<a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2019/09/faux-fireplace-tutorial.html" target="_blank"> fireplace we built last year</a>? While it was centered on the largest wall space in the room, it is not centered in the room because of doorways which bothers me at times because I LOVE symmetry. It has been cause for contention over the years between me and Mister. He eyeballs things and I pull out the measuring tape.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> Symmetry doesn't work so well in this case so I embraced asymmetry. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The garland falls heavy to the left in an attempt to balance the room. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTR-rQ8xRf4Z6jvONoS4_qoHvUgy09NwlU2TEOsgQcYk7Gn4jrm7Z3FNWpZxbW-NFSrsC-xQt3POXuxhHh3VkVv5xnxPQTvUBX-CxkDp426F6fM41gw_ETHPmMoJNuDQmBiFq56FsagEo6/s4952/DSC04299.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3533" data-original-width="4952" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTR-rQ8xRf4Z6jvONoS4_qoHvUgy09NwlU2TEOsgQcYk7Gn4jrm7Z3FNWpZxbW-NFSrsC-xQt3POXuxhHh3VkVv5xnxPQTvUBX-CxkDp426F6fM41gw_ETHPmMoJNuDQmBiFq56FsagEo6/w640-h456/DSC04299.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVfqxGIK7T0ObHhvEM8pvgBylwHhF3isfJeUQGd1dH1fvUMUclXbzoWV8Q2x1axIFA-eTrABWkUaH-NtzVbnRrayg932qVekoFhU6g2nlk07s3pmp0ka6_vTA8T-eptnaCq3UoST33VMF/s6000/DSC04169.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVfqxGIK7T0ObHhvEM8pvgBylwHhF3isfJeUQGd1dH1fvUMUclXbzoWV8Q2x1axIFA-eTrABWkUaH-NtzVbnRrayg932qVekoFhU6g2nlk07s3pmp0ka6_vTA8T-eptnaCq3UoST33VMF/w426-h640/DSC04169.JPG" width="426" /></a></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjooXkggna5O9VV1GV1MIV-ew2hkUEoJb9eTrKh0aTe5wJpfESBoS2X8ennSQ1GCVKMLeJNp3g9WBdV6N6xavyvW261r8ZFjARMAJ_McdMMgGvQdICrqNzxIvpv_wCy2iRi1dpw-a2qFE/s5517/DSC04186.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5517" data-original-width="3679" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjooXkggna5O9VV1GV1MIV-ew2hkUEoJb9eTrKh0aTe5wJpfESBoS2X8ennSQ1GCVKMLeJNp3g9WBdV6N6xavyvW261r8ZFjARMAJ_McdMMgGvQdICrqNzxIvpv_wCy2iRi1dpw-a2qFE/w426-h640/DSC04186.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bzV5ODJLl9wMaoabW2uMf-sqeLEq3ziRqfLNPvjJO1ratBuiWvaR_-mcLphl5ya05SEhCoGl78AZTb_apkQLzKAj9Jky2BJ32ja-Q_blAkpZcq-yUMf_1VeQOlboHKB5ncXl6DVOXcCz/s4391/DSC04192.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4391" data-original-width="3462" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bzV5ODJLl9wMaoabW2uMf-sqeLEq3ziRqfLNPvjJO1ratBuiWvaR_-mcLphl5ya05SEhCoGl78AZTb_apkQLzKAj9Jky2BJ32ja-Q_blAkpZcq-yUMf_1VeQOlboHKB5ncXl6DVOXcCz/w504-h640/DSC04192.JPG" width="504" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8_GserL9oPO3w9JJT8XEogiOoA7riV7-QeMXJxMwf21oUBjE56f5HWohzzpipjv_zsRAdbfNsf7HB-cQo_-9qxY1KD1-zzvroF9x7uVaOM7AynTopkh38KtuLsNi4xEYW9cVcJ0WDvV5/s6000/DSC04195.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8_GserL9oPO3w9JJT8XEogiOoA7riV7-QeMXJxMwf21oUBjE56f5HWohzzpipjv_zsRAdbfNsf7HB-cQo_-9qxY1KD1-zzvroF9x7uVaOM7AynTopkh38KtuLsNi4xEYW9cVcJ0WDvV5/w426-h640/DSC04195.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br />The table is dressed for dinner. I like having it ready for unexpected guests. The crystal and silverware was my great-grandmother's. It seems a shame to save it for only one day a year so this way I get to enjoy it a bit longer and it becomes part of the decoration. </p><p style="text-align: center;">A table runner and two garlands down the center of the table becomes the centerpiece. One garland is frosted evergreen, the other is sparkly, thin glitter. Battery operated fairy lights are woven into the garlands. Nestle in candles for ambiance-or just cuz it's pretty. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVocz16gHbeslekZaUxXqXpiwtQsmenosTeZd_SzP-fW2fFBUQYdWDa-SM8HhKQDppweJDphOKkyFGKL7NN9xaGgC1u7E4Eh8XbrV-y7v8Qndbe1nZPf_Dt_IyzsFlLeYR4bP4md6kR_Xc/s5965/DSC04174.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3511" data-original-width="5965" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVocz16gHbeslekZaUxXqXpiwtQsmenosTeZd_SzP-fW2fFBUQYdWDa-SM8HhKQDppweJDphOKkyFGKL7NN9xaGgC1u7E4Eh8XbrV-y7v8Qndbe1nZPf_Dt_IyzsFlLeYR4bP4md6kR_Xc/w640-h376/DSC04174.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdXg5txzc6uTYftHen6a9WxIGR42cD-cFNYcv_YwB9hCWGsKW-BMYW4xvT_bDfVTlEHwDKTcerU5R_GsvI9KY-8APf9VzO9xstdDm10OwTpKEx_0mIE2R5uh2NK3pmGN0dt9eTGgj9V4c/s6000/DSC04176.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdXg5txzc6uTYftHen6a9WxIGR42cD-cFNYcv_YwB9hCWGsKW-BMYW4xvT_bDfVTlEHwDKTcerU5R_GsvI9KY-8APf9VzO9xstdDm10OwTpKEx_0mIE2R5uh2NK3pmGN0dt9eTGgj9V4c/w426-h640/DSC04176.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXztkw6sjSoczpQwXLM4wLVeWyhAHqzJRPdJO7Yp_2iyIUYzd9DxU5KCcZlmdw7v0jjawWz7R_g_G_dx-iNEhRfh4xHsPIR1SayuwcYsDsJOEGalJ3DdB3HxpOYvKwxy9iAui8cJ552pUA/s6000/DSC04184.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXztkw6sjSoczpQwXLM4wLVeWyhAHqzJRPdJO7Yp_2iyIUYzd9DxU5KCcZlmdw7v0jjawWz7R_g_G_dx-iNEhRfh4xHsPIR1SayuwcYsDsJOEGalJ3DdB3HxpOYvKwxy9iAui8cJ552pUA/w426-h640/DSC04184.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuevAx2a5_KOmobVoDePxybK7UMe0YA_Vt2ffWq7ZznKbNpFHVQlLs_ENYYAC0KLm0s-YYtpyvszQieOeYU0vxDjimgzcGuly5F8hr9z5LMuRq10ieLGSyCZIfkvLTbU2LDj535qxAQ5J/s6000/DSC04188.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuevAx2a5_KOmobVoDePxybK7UMe0YA_Vt2ffWq7ZznKbNpFHVQlLs_ENYYAC0KLm0s-YYtpyvszQieOeYU0vxDjimgzcGuly5F8hr9z5LMuRq10ieLGSyCZIfkvLTbU2LDj535qxAQ5J/w426-h640/DSC04188.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiTczgrQxuR0ejwPWKgGyaG5zd0bKGlHUcoq7p39sTU1Tbr0VP-qn9ZY3RYuDL5D_Y3I523mz-y3qZqNC6WyBxHYY79CHd1VzB1DWYkp_2xGg4oEB8cdS0Teq8CBAh9iwTMqoZIA4A4Vd/s6000/DSC04191.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiTczgrQxuR0ejwPWKgGyaG5zd0bKGlHUcoq7p39sTU1Tbr0VP-qn9ZY3RYuDL5D_Y3I523mz-y3qZqNC6WyBxHYY79CHd1VzB1DWYkp_2xGg4oEB8cdS0Teq8CBAh9iwTMqoZIA4A4Vd/w426-h640/DSC04191.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcWPRs1bPVlHmsSc8DOVAbdSYyA20Q6pWysuahipZwRJcX9MAYlvHYAL46oWpFdjflP5dop9fHRZpwbCXfgVpE-qv2NBaiOJZF2cVdMT9fwaU60U21HFzCdMvjWzkj_DKPB6vbLNNRl6J/s5505/DSC04200.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3569" data-original-width="5505" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcWPRs1bPVlHmsSc8DOVAbdSYyA20Q6pWysuahipZwRJcX9MAYlvHYAL46oWpFdjflP5dop9fHRZpwbCXfgVpE-qv2NBaiOJZF2cVdMT9fwaU60U21HFzCdMvjWzkj_DKPB6vbLNNRl6J/w640-h414/DSC04200.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Friend, my prayer is that you are blessed by those who are around your table this month. I am praying that as you gather, big or small that your hearts are secure in knowing that God is control of all the things that seem so chaotic right now. On the eve of what was to be a gut-wrenching, life ending immediate future, Jesus sat down to dine with his friends and they were at peace.</p><p style="text-align: center;">That is the same peace I am praying for you and me this year.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Joining these parties: <a href="https://ducksnarow.com/2020/12/happiness-is-home-made-party.html" target="_blank">Ducks N A Row</a>, <a href="https://followtheyellowbrickhome.com/all-about-home-link-party-70/" target="_blank">Follow The Yellow Brick Home</a>, <a href="https://www.astrollthrulife.net/2020/12/570th-inspire-me-tuesday.html" target="_blank">A Stroll Thru Life</a>, <a href="https://www.findingsilverpennies.com/silver-pennies-sundays-link-party-389/" target="_blank">Finding Silver Pennies</a>, <a href="https://lovemylittlecottage.com/little-cottage-link-party-81/" target="_blank">Love My Little Cottage</a>, <a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/2020/12/saturday-sparks-link-party-404.html" target="_blank">Pieced Pastimes</a>, <a href="https://myweeabode.com/tuesday-turn-about-christmas-kitchens/" target="_blank">My Wee Abode</a>,<a href="http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/2020/12/your-whims-wednesday-489-and-features.html" target="_blank"> My Girlish Whims</a>, <a href="https://www.zucchinisisters.com/celebrate-your-story-261/" target="_blank">Zucchini Sisters</a>, <a href="https://acrosstheblvd.com/beautifully-made-link-party-143-for-home-decor/" target="_blank">Across The Blvd</a>, <a href="https://lindaslunacy.com/2020/12/making-a-home-homemaking-link-up-194/" target="_blank">Linda's Lunacy</a>, <a href="https://apriljharris.com/season-of-light-at-the-hearth-and-soul-link-party/" target="_blank">April J Harris</a>, <a href="https://www.create-with-joy.com/2020/12/inspire-me-monday-week-465.html" target="_blank">Create With Joy</a>, <a href="https://www.impartinggrace.com/2020/12/grace-at-home-no-406.html" target="_blank">Imparting Grace</a>, <a href="https://www.shabbyartboutique.com/2020/12/create-bake-grow-gather-party-450.html" target="_blank">Shabby Art Boutique</a>, <a href="https://www.thepinjunkie.com/2020/12/pin-junkie-pin-party-398.html" target="_blank">The Pin Junkie</a>,<a href="https://jenerallyinformed.com/2020/12/the-happy-now-blog-link-up-246/" target="_blank"> Jenerally Informed</a>, <a href="http://www.stonecottageadventures.com/2020/12/tuesdays-with-twist-399-its-party-time.html" target="_blank">Stone Cottage Adventures</a>, <a href="https://katherinescorner.com/2020/12/17/deck-the-halls-and-tft/" target="_blank">Katherine's Corner</a>,<a href="https://thecottagemarket.com/a-morning-cup-of-joe-filled-with-features-and-linky-party-31/" target="_blank"> The Cottage Market</a>, <a href="https://www.ourhopefulhome.com/2020/12/vintage-charm-party-263.html" target="_blank">Our Hopeful Home</a>, <a href="https://www.findingsilverpennies.com/silver-pennies-sundays-link-party-390/" target="_blank">Finding Silver Pennies</a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-69464595159713675112020-12-09T20:28:00.005-05:002020-12-11T08:47:49.745-05:00Christmas In The Kitchen 2020<p style="text-align: center;">For many people the heart of the home is the kitchen. It is where everyone seems to gather and during these times when gathering is more difficult I am missing it. To add a little magic I put twinkle lights in the swags above the windows. </p><p style="text-align: center;">THEY ARE REMOTE CONTROLLED! </p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiDfR_SHckNi8yVsYj9tK6dPBPgj68SIi4Hw8b4Cvu3esSrK2e8Zibsy5vU1JfuaMB9Gy8VeGrqUqrI_svwe6e2q1-CIiFepXCrpEVMDxkOzeYVqp2gVUK9zg4cD3OH86jqfFm25Z0fO6/s6000/DSC04258.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiDfR_SHckNi8yVsYj9tK6dPBPgj68SIi4Hw8b4Cvu3esSrK2e8Zibsy5vU1JfuaMB9Gy8VeGrqUqrI_svwe6e2q1-CIiFepXCrpEVMDxkOzeYVqp2gVUK9zg4cD3OH86jqfFm25Z0fO6/w640-h426/DSC04258.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PhNRBhbX11fm7scDX6OgoV370M3c2AccTO5Xl9VLA9NEKO6tP5Gp7FsGHNe0QdT65kkDjZGX0J3SDWNDcL_MuBDVxlvLp9zYqH0W87bHdCuVmDZCcvFGPaEd66dVL5TH6pIreWoY_Cru/s6000/DSC04248.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PhNRBhbX11fm7scDX6OgoV370M3c2AccTO5Xl9VLA9NEKO6tP5Gp7FsGHNe0QdT65kkDjZGX0J3SDWNDcL_MuBDVxlvLp9zYqH0W87bHdCuVmDZCcvFGPaEd66dVL5TH6pIreWoY_Cru/w640-h426/DSC04248.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlY4zAizrKhX-MrxbYeYtzG3F4nx7zAW8k2x52CNA6T5glMvG1Cq8AFLt-OsiuxR_9S0AaxEZg0T-c3kShiKJZ5XRZt1hkw3rQa9EkUWYrCyPNoX2YUhGRs2Z4SjgfhLOiJjcRtUV6wPC8/s3172/DSC04251.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3172" data-original-width="3076" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlY4zAizrKhX-MrxbYeYtzG3F4nx7zAW8k2x52CNA6T5glMvG1Cq8AFLt-OsiuxR_9S0AaxEZg0T-c3kShiKJZ5XRZt1hkw3rQa9EkUWYrCyPNoX2YUhGRs2Z4SjgfhLOiJjcRtUV6wPC8/w620-h640/DSC04251.JPG" width="620" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwqcDk4yIgK3_5QEbosEkHAgLqgpWffdIvVScC3xFWQbVeG8tpt3Cw-mRG2Zu6haP6j4VMGBu5rxfS_nkdnPQ464BDaeEG87rINxOhrYsfyqy5mFogfHuWWCYMw5XQy976G9oW-2kWWkR/s3903/DSC04260.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3903" data-original-width="3338" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwqcDk4yIgK3_5QEbosEkHAgLqgpWffdIvVScC3xFWQbVeG8tpt3Cw-mRG2Zu6haP6j4VMGBu5rxfS_nkdnPQ464BDaeEG87rINxOhrYsfyqy5mFogfHuWWCYMw5XQy976G9oW-2kWWkR/w548-h640/DSC04260.JPG" width="548" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlzKBnN4eBcuXILTzoX94sleJU6bAcpUBII7VErJ2-HhfvjMwQQAiuATbiaYJtLETxxpwrbXN_RqDZJmx_oQ6hzFfxPu48mnqyQsOHW44NfIMCaZa4wPkj8x4t-13RJSgsKBVnAQA8xnm/s6000/DSC04265.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlzKBnN4eBcuXILTzoX94sleJU6bAcpUBII7VErJ2-HhfvjMwQQAiuATbiaYJtLETxxpwrbXN_RqDZJmx_oQ6hzFfxPu48mnqyQsOHW44NfIMCaZa4wPkj8x4t-13RJSgsKBVnAQA8xnm/w640-h426/DSC04265.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxokaEsEMdxxEALewXgRCCcdwPXMLaEO1JHiocw9bE_8Xb5hpmCPLuXyUeXs-fZNGSOvCTmNwdLoUC8_Vr-h0rrl56wRGSfBnce3n4ycYDo8G8Bsu4Q81NFsYf9S3w7ZSL8oVD1JJZ7SF/s6000/DSC04268.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxokaEsEMdxxEALewXgRCCcdwPXMLaEO1JHiocw9bE_8Xb5hpmCPLuXyUeXs-fZNGSOvCTmNwdLoUC8_Vr-h0rrl56wRGSfBnce3n4ycYDo8G8Bsu4Q81NFsYf9S3w7ZSL8oVD1JJZ7SF/w426-h640/DSC04268.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPMMTDgU_utoe0XMhgvdPp72HVUaAy1lDzQ712JJht04GWzlZKCenhUhEnISwHIjuzLKEpt_6SQvcc9zIn3chL_YSa50tocDOKUBAgol5gsiVjfv9vP7dAEY3eb7mUss3tuq9fP9layfs/s6000/DSC04266.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPMMTDgU_utoe0XMhgvdPp72HVUaAy1lDzQ712JJht04GWzlZKCenhUhEnISwHIjuzLKEpt_6SQvcc9zIn3chL_YSa50tocDOKUBAgol5gsiVjfv9vP7dAEY3eb7mUss3tuq9fP9layfs/w426-h640/DSC04266.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is probably as clean as my kitchen will be for the next several weeks but that's okay. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is baking to do, gifts to bake and send out from this kitchen. I'm looking forward to Christmas morning, cinnamon rolls, time with my family and an earnest focus on why we can celebrate in the midst of what has been an unusual year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Praying that your reason for celebrating is wrapped around the One who was the </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">greatest gift ever given. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Linking to these parties:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blueskyathome.com/tuesday-turn-about-link-party-78/" target="_blank">Blue Sky At Home</a>, <a href="https://ducksnarow.com/2020/12/14042.html" target="_blank">Ducks N A Row</a>, <a href="https://followtheyellowbrickhome.com/home-for-holidays-at-tft/" target="_blank">Follow The Yellow Brick Home</a>, <a href="https://www.ourhopefulhome.com/2020/12/vintage-charm-party-262.html" target="_blank">Our Hopeful Home</a>, <a href="https://apriljharris.com/getting-ready-for-the-holidays-at-the-hearth-and-soul-link-party/" target="_blank">April J Harris</a>,<a href="https://www.create-with-joy.com/2020/12/inspire-me-monday-week-464.html" target="_blank"> Create With Joy</a>, <a href="https://www.impartinggrace.com/2020/12/grace-at-home-no-406.html" target="_blank">Imparting Grace</a>, <a href="https://www.shabbyartboutique.com/2020/12/create-bake-grow-gather-party-449.html" target="_blank">Shabby Art Boutique</a>, <a href="https://thecottagemarket.com/a-morning-cup-of-joe-filled-with-features-and-linky-party-30/" target="_blank">The Cottage Market</a>, </div><p></p>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-5509201113880038342020-11-15T19:18:00.001-05:002020-11-15T19:18:35.752-05:00Autumn Home- Dining Room & Kitchen <p>I don't know about you but I was ready for autumn this year. I was decorated for the season early! Don't get me wrong, I hated seeing summer go. My dining room looked like this for summer. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhiwNapkXeOaEom_EE2F-XOGHKF4EMV9C0DvySscqCT6VYJfK9aHgBbABfR6Q4wfvmxDqwJkPP1qRTo0Io8BrD4ZsUg0GsibrQGAk_hRqP3zPjj-IP-xFk-jWN4ZmhC9KiDwFyGm1pQjK/s6000/DSC03690.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhiwNapkXeOaEom_EE2F-XOGHKF4EMV9C0DvySscqCT6VYJfK9aHgBbABfR6Q4wfvmxDqwJkPP1qRTo0Io8BrD4ZsUg0GsibrQGAk_hRqP3zPjj-IP-xFk-jWN4ZmhC9KiDwFyGm1pQjK/w640-h426/DSC03690.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUb_-9MnYaNbV-6UucI_yY9tUhpQTT6zeM-vLLT5l08_eUtatnkKjdDOuR8MUE-g7pMltucHUO-aY2oUsCckECEEuith_LXTHXdZTn06i5mVUO4tg_yxHmnpJc0ORe4txVAhhbeI1CgWF/s6000/DSC03692.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUb_-9MnYaNbV-6UucI_yY9tUhpQTT6zeM-vLLT5l08_eUtatnkKjdDOuR8MUE-g7pMltucHUO-aY2oUsCckECEEuith_LXTHXdZTn06i5mVUO4tg_yxHmnpJc0ORe4txVAhhbeI1CgWF/w640-h426/DSC03692.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7UQQCerK4fbbbjvxgNDZ_wXu7DPAUGJe5p0aSBW4R0Pdez2lQcCeVNFxiM0CKiDyvNp5Aaj6fhMvXSsW4DA1Cb3TB5Ehk615K89mNGzCoTuST3ce6QRr3tSriOhchRhscFeB_Q06e_xr/s6000/DSC03703.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7UQQCerK4fbbbjvxgNDZ_wXu7DPAUGJe5p0aSBW4R0Pdez2lQcCeVNFxiM0CKiDyvNp5Aaj6fhMvXSsW4DA1Cb3TB5Ehk615K89mNGzCoTuST3ce6QRr3tSriOhchRhscFeB_Q06e_xr/w426-h640/DSC03703.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><p><span style="text-align: justify;">As the sun moved in the sky and the calendar turned another page I was determined to be ready for the season. I am not having much luck shopping lately so using what I have made sense and I was not ready to give up on summer entirely (no big surprise there) so I left some beach stuff in my autumn dining room. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGC8u53FnzkuLEwSjEkXHUOH-bsDbiN5nwGAvAMcPzpYZY8SVQOeqb4XHrVQzUFSFpwGHYZ5aCg_FlinCmn2qeAxn74vYB0LBxM7bjgumrzrci8ChyphenhyphenlqbKTMVgrVy8T_wdjkZ3M8eb9HT/s6000/DSC03959.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGC8u53FnzkuLEwSjEkXHUOH-bsDbiN5nwGAvAMcPzpYZY8SVQOeqb4XHrVQzUFSFpwGHYZ5aCg_FlinCmn2qeAxn74vYB0LBxM7bjgumrzrci8ChyphenhyphenlqbKTMVgrVy8T_wdjkZ3M8eb9HT/w426-h640/DSC03959.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQ9hpOopDqOGLnBNhx7E8H6AN1no4DR3ogJ6XUDwKFWccnOwOVD2_lCYLaOvTPuPJu9vtbXxqf_SMulprm-EasawgDshcYleItmR4AWkxOzKMnmuHZx2aUQcU_Ec4wXHd430NDuYsmQKh/s5667/DSC03979+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3904" data-original-width="5667" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQ9hpOopDqOGLnBNhx7E8H6AN1no4DR3ogJ6XUDwKFWccnOwOVD2_lCYLaOvTPuPJu9vtbXxqf_SMulprm-EasawgDshcYleItmR4AWkxOzKMnmuHZx2aUQcU_Ec4wXHd430NDuYsmQKh/w640-h440/DSC03979+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwmc5df6p6LQTU80_6l_ld3y80jUQwDzcICtn7X4VrH_vQoii5M7-81aJrjze77IN7HF887zZ3EXmXvUSaWOWA5f-cTJjv04-Uohm1_B10uYA-IIBk4LYr2H0gUjoQk1WsTlcw7rlvqAu/s4006/DSC03983.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4006" data-original-width="2849" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwmc5df6p6LQTU80_6l_ld3y80jUQwDzcICtn7X4VrH_vQoii5M7-81aJrjze77IN7HF887zZ3EXmXvUSaWOWA5f-cTJjv04-Uohm1_B10uYA-IIBk4LYr2H0gUjoQk1WsTlcw7rlvqAu/w456-h640/DSC03983.JPG" width="456" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTP6inMdvWhbkcoF3HSz2lXJfBF3VpyjO_vr04HKe-y7e3j8Jm5_s2wRxLJ-vs8jClNbAviVhR0svYPs2dQ1lUeeSqBfJyJfxi-Gq3RK30Bu59AQOPd59wYwCgwYafL0p2KJUiVve8gJf/s5245/DSC03967.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5245" data-original-width="3946" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTP6inMdvWhbkcoF3HSz2lXJfBF3VpyjO_vr04HKe-y7e3j8Jm5_s2wRxLJ-vs8jClNbAviVhR0svYPs2dQ1lUeeSqBfJyJfxi-Gq3RK30Bu59AQOPd59wYwCgwYafL0p2KJUiVve8gJf/w482-h640/DSC03967.JPG" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjn-3DVZEss1y2VGSHoeuRTjHqc6dRjHDmrrGNR40iGTGp9YuAF2cO-hTeHIhCIS4GK2yw-ptiuJdgZfaKJIOzvaPW4oGWT_7-5G5xjGvGM4cDm3WCcfwsz0sdcDIJ-PfwAMQbIPuQofD/s6000/DSC03969.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjn-3DVZEss1y2VGSHoeuRTjHqc6dRjHDmrrGNR40iGTGp9YuAF2cO-hTeHIhCIS4GK2yw-ptiuJdgZfaKJIOzvaPW4oGWT_7-5G5xjGvGM4cDm3WCcfwsz0sdcDIJ-PfwAMQbIPuQofD/w426-h640/DSC03969.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmX1RNB7tz-EEtZwCSBtOAFsN8dtglOrIe_S1b4ivQ1Nde-CxIbM3-8Sb9PNqzP4N7SqM2JHE3lqOcY-zdyF3WPku3ahyphenhyphenaewsoIM2lwtju5knJt61pkZ-hkSFYyr6wRR4RKP9cXyjlmKw4/s6000/DSC03962.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmX1RNB7tz-EEtZwCSBtOAFsN8dtglOrIe_S1b4ivQ1Nde-CxIbM3-8Sb9PNqzP4N7SqM2JHE3lqOcY-zdyF3WPku3ahyphenhyphenaewsoIM2lwtju5knJt61pkZ-hkSFYyr6wRR4RKP9cXyjlmKw4/w640-h426/DSC03962.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4cOLnUnycpllYsGru5WW3A3wq5Kw3b41_b8Jso14f_jC0GO4y2S_TDBCy5DeTrB7XLxLdeZa1nMHCN_dbWYpEc5gJb2aa4SBjjZ6r0FIeecRC2rtl-SzsK-1WnIK8A3D1WNftfsHBEk2/s6000/DSC03993.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4cOLnUnycpllYsGru5WW3A3wq5Kw3b41_b8Jso14f_jC0GO4y2S_TDBCy5DeTrB7XLxLdeZa1nMHCN_dbWYpEc5gJb2aa4SBjjZ6r0FIeecRC2rtl-SzsK-1WnIK8A3D1WNftfsHBEk2/w640-h426/DSC03993.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lPc8qiRMW7KDxpkYVCZ3JkpHYC0Lxu_sM3gsdAd8NWHtvhu9cPu4NNMK8JKb0V8oUJTreREcnqvuwjvUO54jkgbOCHUJ0n1zfi3EbLX3ypf_yNmRprylHM35Hh9oetnnt12DQhZ4gErn/s5767/DSC03995.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5767" data-original-width="3845" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lPc8qiRMW7KDxpkYVCZ3JkpHYC0Lxu_sM3gsdAd8NWHtvhu9cPu4NNMK8JKb0V8oUJTreREcnqvuwjvUO54jkgbOCHUJ0n1zfi3EbLX3ypf_yNmRprylHM35Hh9oetnnt12DQhZ4gErn/w426-h640/DSC03995.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2J6hJgJNOZ6VAbT2ERuDKxJgd1ClR-RtmXpUiJl9oAoGEJsaMQWSftJYMfp8Z6zB8aeLTBuwEwwS1KwvLaPHxy5BT9mZFE3VFq0bUpkSxMnw2WbmTkiXA_y4fvT8p_VG1MSFqDmOc-hwS/s6000/DSC04003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2J6hJgJNOZ6VAbT2ERuDKxJgd1ClR-RtmXpUiJl9oAoGEJsaMQWSftJYMfp8Z6zB8aeLTBuwEwwS1KwvLaPHxy5BT9mZFE3VFq0bUpkSxMnw2WbmTkiXA_y4fvT8p_VG1MSFqDmOc-hwS/w426-h640/DSC04003.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">And the kitchen got the same treatment of using what I had. The little sunflower plates made me so happy this summer. They were my first purchase after everything opened back up. I used them all summer long and they get to stay through autumn. The pumpkin artwork are pieces I have shown you how to do before on this blog. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgmQRybvp3fjuGxK8FJdBMbxUYTkN_GaLZDlkRaUSGwvTocB_S_z_cyEseV6H9qSDThftdII9YWAm7blYsFQCwBgUIcmzB7g8meHlvAe_qs6bXbE49WkyfFdm4SJYjq2rCVA1OJI5H4NR/s5587/DSC03921.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5587" data-original-width="3976" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgmQRybvp3fjuGxK8FJdBMbxUYTkN_GaLZDlkRaUSGwvTocB_S_z_cyEseV6H9qSDThftdII9YWAm7blYsFQCwBgUIcmzB7g8meHlvAe_qs6bXbE49WkyfFdm4SJYjq2rCVA1OJI5H4NR/w456-h640/DSC03921.JPG" width="456" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi0_OXHt9HSIBt34uxhB3adQdQjVJqRFDhkglcpFlqmbQCajRQbZ8nIb5X_SYvxMnxBTMhtEX1Tca-KtlqUhBShkrsM0V4_MwiLEa_Ck1GCIU4QZOAWTJbqykCso3ZaJSmW1VPaer4NPn/s4270/DSC03907.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3883" data-original-width="4270" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi0_OXHt9HSIBt34uxhB3adQdQjVJqRFDhkglcpFlqmbQCajRQbZ8nIb5X_SYvxMnxBTMhtEX1Tca-KtlqUhBShkrsM0V4_MwiLEa_Ck1GCIU4QZOAWTJbqykCso3ZaJSmW1VPaer4NPn/w640-h582/DSC03907.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lFcm0BRiu-2TOWUtEB-RRNlkowTwZL6S3e_EpgGF9uAPTuE5WciOdaZmY1iHhOkQuC_FRRQUNtqfhdgH-xNjtMQusW0t7hRdBfa8k5oWPn-a6rg7yBM9cfF_53wqyCRIvyBJoxdDO50w/s6000/DSC03909.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lFcm0BRiu-2TOWUtEB-RRNlkowTwZL6S3e_EpgGF9uAPTuE5WciOdaZmY1iHhOkQuC_FRRQUNtqfhdgH-xNjtMQusW0t7hRdBfa8k5oWPn-a6rg7yBM9cfF_53wqyCRIvyBJoxdDO50w/w426-h640/DSC03909.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpe6X-POBvvNcvQv_UdzBigsUHd-_jW8h9La_mSvlnwAbDBD7qIel6xtd2SoNFeVyR0VRePzaUxV0YCUHCNNNRBkDTR8u5z_7LTmYATDXSx6LbVv452yZhBxcKKSmoC2Ur2HBmvu8_cG3j/s4719/DSC03913.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3918" data-original-width="4719" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpe6X-POBvvNcvQv_UdzBigsUHd-_jW8h9La_mSvlnwAbDBD7qIel6xtd2SoNFeVyR0VRePzaUxV0YCUHCNNNRBkDTR8u5z_7LTmYATDXSx6LbVv452yZhBxcKKSmoC2Ur2HBmvu8_cG3j/w640-h532/DSC03913.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The dining room and kitchen have been dressed like this for a while and I am ready to move on and start decorating for Christmas! It will be here before we know it. I have much to do and I bet you do, too! Busy, busy, busy! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I pray you have a very blessed Thanksgiving.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> It may be very different for some of us and there will be loved ones missing. I just want to encourage you; that we even have loved ones-ones we love and ones that love us- is cause enough to be thankful. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><div>Joining these link parties: </div><div>Shabby Art Boutique</div>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-27082361025947972812020-10-30T06:48:00.002-04:002020-11-02T05:52:05.846-05:00Autumn Home- The Bedroom<div style="text-align: justify;">I really do live a beautiful part of the country/world for all things Autumn. Maybe the fact that I am getting older has something to do with my growing fondness of the season or maybe it's just because this year has been so crazy that I am looking for some comfort and coziness. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Whatever the reason, I decided to add a little Fall to my bedroom this year. This is not a grand master bedroom with an en suite and sitting area, it's just a bedroom. I usually do not seasonally decorate the bedroom, except a small tree at Christmas, but this year <i><b>is</b></i> different, right? My favorite flannel sheets were on sale (and I had a coupon) so I bought two sets to mix and match. A duvet cover with shams from Home Goods and a gray quilted coverlet with matching shams add to the comfort and cozy factor. That was the base layer that will not change much throughout the fall and winter. A couple touches of orange was all the room needed to make it fall-like.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JYD_mf9HHxbCEuzxlAb-A_hUvjCrAoUVV2xzROGzYIA8wROo9pShWjl-vqVPSzbE_jWwCNl1oa7GbGw2B9BkwqqeW6hNLgU_hkvdCQ5WPOWkGJmv48z9KsAZ4vhyphenhyphenVz-w6ihI4pwliYI5/s6000/DSC03862.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JYD_mf9HHxbCEuzxlAb-A_hUvjCrAoUVV2xzROGzYIA8wROo9pShWjl-vqVPSzbE_jWwCNl1oa7GbGw2B9BkwqqeW6hNLgU_hkvdCQ5WPOWkGJmv48z9KsAZ4vhyphenhyphenVz-w6ihI4pwliYI5/w426-h640/DSC03862.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQVFURoWzSagRMWSbFEqeAkMqHc3Vtuzs85PDX1ORQHjzuJ0vBIrtPvni3eoyHvObZteq9J2XuVqdD3tfzKyt3qZNE9OYw61Upkdw9-gHKK81drGLKg-fvzzoZIqEhYRR5pj7W1mWWDr8/s6000/DSC03875.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQVFURoWzSagRMWSbFEqeAkMqHc3Vtuzs85PDX1ORQHjzuJ0vBIrtPvni3eoyHvObZteq9J2XuVqdD3tfzKyt3qZNE9OYw61Upkdw9-gHKK81drGLKg-fvzzoZIqEhYRR5pj7W1mWWDr8/w640-h426/DSC03875.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaptQkN42dOZJ2f5Ds7S4NezfylLGlZw0Z76WWrsNUyHzdwLO59FoTn8X-5dPESKiGnbGyw9mc0VSOzLsEAHueaQ7SVVOZNwp8Q39OPQCZv7HT8kzWN7XtlFAwDx5GFMc3meue5oPeNrO/s6000/DSC03882+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaptQkN42dOZJ2f5Ds7S4NezfylLGlZw0Z76WWrsNUyHzdwLO59FoTn8X-5dPESKiGnbGyw9mc0VSOzLsEAHueaQ7SVVOZNwp8Q39OPQCZv7HT8kzWN7XtlFAwDx5GFMc3meue5oPeNrO/w640-h426/DSC03882+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3EC8fBBBMnKsXzkMBMjcIXco-lvK_Xbvzxzvtxf3IH8jXXlBe_xNgG33FkS1WwUhPWaiaGnB3KH6QvdWfwkKclQCHobR9n_lDY_4SJMen32MG2izPH6ilRIpu0lTlriHrg0yJe4W7Y-P/s6000/DSC03886.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3EC8fBBBMnKsXzkMBMjcIXco-lvK_Xbvzxzvtxf3IH8jXXlBe_xNgG33FkS1WwUhPWaiaGnB3KH6QvdWfwkKclQCHobR9n_lDY_4SJMen32MG2izPH6ilRIpu0lTlriHrg0yJe4W7Y-P/w640-h426/DSC03886.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span> </span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As you can see, I took these photos on a bright sunny day but today it is snowing. I think I might indulge a bit and crawl back into this cozy bed with a good book and cup of tea. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> Til next time... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Joining these link parties:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.shabbyartboutique.com/2020/10/create-bake-grow-gather-party443.html" target="_blank">Shabby Art Boutique</a>, <a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/2020/10/saturday-sparks-link-party-398.html" target="_blank">Pieced Pastimes</a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-49537452660377031982020-10-17T18:15:00.003-04:002020-10-18T07:38:15.276-04:00Autumn Home Vignette Challenge<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>Vignette</b> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">(pronounced vin-yet).</span> Isn't that a pretty word. It sounds gentile to me, maybe even Victorian-esque. It conjures thoughts in my mind of all things pretty. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">While I have in my mind an understanding of the word I thought it best to see what the dictionary had to say. A <b>vignette,</b> as described by Webster's Dictionary: (noun) <span style="background-color: white; color: #303336; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">a picture (such as an engraving or photograph) that shades off gradually into the surrounding paper; </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #303336; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">a brief incident or scene. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 16px;">In literary terms, a </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 16px;">vignette</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 16px;">is</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> a "short scene that captures a single moment or a defining detail about a character, idea, or other element of the story".</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 16px;">Originally, it seems that a vignette was a vine or decoration around the text of a written piece, a decoration. It may or may not have been something drawn from the writing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">When I am putting together a vignette in my home it is a small snapshot of a feeling I am trying to convey. It is a small representation of a season, event, or moment I want to share with my visitors and family. Having dabbled in photography a bit I consider these little areas in my home as compositions and am always trying to style these little scenes/snapshots as such. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;">Recently, I was on a fellow blogger's website and was thrilled to see that she had put out a challenge for others to share their Autumn vignettes! And so.... </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I'm joining Katherine from <a href="https://katherinescorner.com/" target="_blank">Katherines Corner</a> and a few of her blog friends for her </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Autumn Home </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Vignette Challenge!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The challenge- we must include at least one pumpkin in our vignette. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjrytqyUQCxtnoPKIiAjBYYi0VboQlSRSJm4RkjCk7fpkxG7vU8Kz_qAqP6lIat4Z30ipDD8FJXxMQGaJtSxsEBDForvoI5lJew4wUqVrSi0aIIJjBuZSlnT-ia2xEhXsANB9t4meUahh/s2048/autumn+vignette+challenge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2038" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjrytqyUQCxtnoPKIiAjBYYi0VboQlSRSJm4RkjCk7fpkxG7vU8Kz_qAqP6lIat4Z30ipDD8FJXxMQGaJtSxsEBDForvoI5lJew4wUqVrSi0aIIJjBuZSlnT-ia2xEhXsANB9t4meUahh/w636-h640/autumn+vignette+challenge.jpg" width="636" /></a></p>Here are a couple from around my home. If you are attempting this in your home keep in mind a few things:<div><br /></div><div> 1) use lifts (books, blocks of wood, candle holders) to vary heights and use trays to corral the scene<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZVWC43ODxbqetV-BFVxoNxnB-avD10vZ-5ruA1IUMA9wbL1_FmZ2exC90wQPv8dWLejwKmdj52uxKqUY1Y_uTaPs5hJ3akrQCmLJOxil1_pXElX6fBWnlq8hbGv4CgZjzMk1CONvqp9A/s6000/DSC03947.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZVWC43ODxbqetV-BFVxoNxnB-avD10vZ-5ruA1IUMA9wbL1_FmZ2exC90wQPv8dWLejwKmdj52uxKqUY1Y_uTaPs5hJ3akrQCmLJOxil1_pXElX6fBWnlq8hbGv4CgZjzMk1CONvqp9A/w640-h426/DSC03947.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmIVBdWtUEtLN2Not1sGKjr9TUH8r7aHkaXSZMRYaA9gz2NAMMU2JN72sxzpchrP7M2Xeu8PHh0QfynVK0M9qy_LMynZ9kPuvrBJ6JqauwLbcU_l5OGqap8bquKWuyZznY9OXkGexiyyz/s5291/DSC03946.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5291" data-original-width="3974" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmIVBdWtUEtLN2Not1sGKjr9TUH8r7aHkaXSZMRYaA9gz2NAMMU2JN72sxzpchrP7M2Xeu8PHh0QfynVK0M9qy_LMynZ9kPuvrBJ6JqauwLbcU_l5OGqap8bquKWuyZznY9OXkGexiyyz/w480-h640/DSC03946.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">2) layer vs straight lines work best usually </span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4e1151Muy4AirvYA_AewxMqe8zxuV-Atls2-IBAsRx6_p2g_3ghlx1TX_f_R4i43hBCIa1Cwk38Es6KyUaVdfXZmvNscwUT7JW_1EKM-TZ8CLheHKfsWY6HChj8QxcrpwmLTCaxXEi9p/s4917/DSC03934.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2876" data-original-width="4917" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4e1151Muy4AirvYA_AewxMqe8zxuV-Atls2-IBAsRx6_p2g_3ghlx1TX_f_R4i43hBCIa1Cwk38Es6KyUaVdfXZmvNscwUT7JW_1EKM-TZ8CLheHKfsWY6HChj8QxcrpwmLTCaxXEi9p/w640-h374/DSC03934.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">3) try to tell a story with your items 4) it's not permanent so you can change it as you go along 5) use your phone to take photos and study them- sometimes our eye sees more in an actual photo and it's also easier to block out competing images from around the room. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Autumn for me means nesting. There is more time to snuggle up with a soft blanket, read a book or spending indoor time playing games, and of course you need to throw some plaid in because what goes better than plaid and fall? That is the story in the next photo. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIDqs-Y_wxudwaeE9XSHQO_1UTW-FjlyuKZuft2rbBkvAXFGDnvu_KEODK60FX7YMQoTKDpbu7M-5eRd6HxVbe_gMsWMe9E1OGEsV-bU3s6K6ILyuOQIK8fzJpa-qEEcU8cL9WW-uKYCM/s4568/DSC03893.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4568" data-original-width="3933" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIDqs-Y_wxudwaeE9XSHQO_1UTW-FjlyuKZuft2rbBkvAXFGDnvu_KEODK60FX7YMQoTKDpbu7M-5eRd6HxVbe_gMsWMe9E1OGEsV-bU3s6K6ILyuOQIK8fzJpa-qEEcU8cL9WW-uKYCM/w552-h640/DSC03893.JPG" width="552" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These next two points are key: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> 4) it's not permanent so you can change it as you go along </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">5) use your phone to take photos and study them- sometimes our eye sees more in an actual photo and it's also easier to block out competing images from around the room. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Now it's your turn! Come back, leave me a message. And visit the others below for great ideas! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JjztTBr1nTVQdqXHAjJYU7VMwEEs28acuZCgOjeQcYjJBWiMysL0ekvt5JqSC5LJ5FBvvsSQ37qRAHKPh976xFoQQTX9PJ3aDDe7rVIAeKy-DqOCQvA3TCf_Ou4vU-B9CzVJprdZvbiQ/s2000/autumn+vignette+challenge+bloggers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JjztTBr1nTVQdqXHAjJYU7VMwEEs28acuZCgOjeQcYjJBWiMysL0ekvt5JqSC5LJ5FBvvsSQ37qRAHKPh976xFoQQTX9PJ3aDDe7rVIAeKy-DqOCQvA3TCf_Ou4vU-B9CzVJprdZvbiQ/w640-h640/autumn+vignette+challenge+bloggers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Please click on each of the links below, please leave a comment. You will find beautiful vignettes filled </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">with lots of inspiration for your home.</span></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://katherinescorner.com/2020/10/17/autumn-home/" target="_blank">Katherines Corner</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.anartfulmom.com/2020/10/autumn-vignette-challenge.html" target="_blank">An Artful Mom</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2020/10/autumn-home-vignette-challenge.html" target="_blank">Eclectic Red Barn</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">While I Linger</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blueskyathome.com/awesome-autumn-pumpkin-vignette/" target="_blank">Bluesky at Home</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://lechateaudepierre.com/autumn-home-vignette-challenge/" target="_blank">LE CHÂTEAU DE PIERRE</a></span></p></div></div>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-57547375591276183842020-10-06T08:57:00.007-04:002020-10-14T12:18:47.064-04:00Autumn Home 2020, Anticipating Blessings In Uncertain Times<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IVR-j146RJByb58RmqAaZKbtxst2r2Kye2zBgwwtmVhyphenhyphenLJ-RbBkbqpQryHGR_vo1DQ-VA8HEaTGK9WyOxETJqglzhXYI1dJ9SaHabypdpmry4k5J6UjrRQbIoIe8smDkAQsnwxjiEcSu/s5277/DSC03753.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3092" data-original-width="5277" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IVR-j146RJByb58RmqAaZKbtxst2r2Kye2zBgwwtmVhyphenhyphenLJ-RbBkbqpQryHGR_vo1DQ-VA8HEaTGK9WyOxETJqglzhXYI1dJ9SaHabypdpmry4k5J6UjrRQbIoIe8smDkAQsnwxjiEcSu/w400-h235/DSC03753.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Summer 2020 is in the history books and it is now fall. Usually, this is a hard transition for me as I love all things summer but this year is different for me and probably for you, as well. This is the time of year when we look forward to all things cozy and spending more time at home... but, if you're like me you're thinking, "But we have <b><i>already</i></b> been spending all our time at home and we're weary of it." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Maybe you're like me and it seems an act of futility when it comes to decorating your home for autumn. The world around us is in such chaos. Maybe your world is in turmoil. I get it. I have waffled back and forth as I look at the world around me that is being filtered through ever squawking media reports. I've questioned myself, my motives and if I should even bother right now. After all, I questioned myself, "Who cares about projects and decorating when everything is so broken" and "Is it bougie or naive to even be doing this right now?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But, grace enters with a dose of truth. God is not the God of chaos or turmoil. He is the God of peace and a quiet calmness in the storm. I cannot control the world. I cannot control the news or politics. They never were in my realm of influence, anyway. Truth be told, I have no significant impact on the world outside my front door. What I <b><i>do</i></b> have control of is my home and how I want those who enter it to feel while they are here. In here you are loved and cherished; you are welcome here. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is autumn and we are thankful for our family. We are grateful for visitors. We embrace the change in seasons as we witness that God is faithful to his word. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBhaXKy8ZNtgLv5sLTpv2y1CNDtmCeikcuaMnwKiGQDdWERDKQOba0kMlACpFECUpdFync0BSL_QLZMKyayRBw4LjjOJpqwovnp9H6352YVkUqe33CjaRJiXhvRPEBRq5F8U7kQn2-ZJm/s6000/DSC03747.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBhaXKy8ZNtgLv5sLTpv2y1CNDtmCeikcuaMnwKiGQDdWERDKQOba0kMlACpFECUpdFync0BSL_QLZMKyayRBw4LjjOJpqwovnp9H6352YVkUqe33CjaRJiXhvRPEBRq5F8U7kQn2-ZJm/w426-h640/DSC03747.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">day and night, shall not cease. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Genesis 8:22</span></span></div><div><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">And so, I will celebrate this season and ready my home in expectation of using it to bless others. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;">Shopping now can be a bit of a struggle. Between wearing masks, being out in public and finding many empty shelves or limited options this can be a difficult and disappointing task. I chose to use what I have for the most part. With that in mind you might see some things you may have seen here in years past but maybe in a different place or with different accessories. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">This is our home, dressed in her autumn best for 2020.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;">A yard sale purchase in January (the basket) and some sale priced flowers from Michael's means that I am foregoing the traditional wreath on the front door, this year. I love this basket and the orange and purple arrangement brings the seasons best colors to the front porch.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDT_H6yJwWXXNPRnTMFjtDWKLNoRhZOQ2oRnbsfDvssid5V1YptyLywxz06vmTT4T4ggbJ7QyOBaIvvZy5Oo8dWatHJEOzfI2a6BIfwqPJhWEOWoFQyvxzDEJthwScud4bSBP9SmNIDZX/s4196/DSC03760.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4196" data-original-width="3472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDT_H6yJwWXXNPRnTMFjtDWKLNoRhZOQ2oRnbsfDvssid5V1YptyLywxz06vmTT4T4ggbJ7QyOBaIvvZy5Oo8dWatHJEOzfI2a6BIfwqPJhWEOWoFQyvxzDEJthwScud4bSBP9SmNIDZX/w530-h640/DSC03760.JPG" width="530" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;">I used the same pillows and blanket as last year and added fake pumpkins with real ones. A few fall mums and this porch is done. This is the first "welcome" you get when coming to our home. <br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3KuG9YY97uH_2Fy-OozcC9STjuX7ZVB4dHYSjyoROAHd3XEc6sJV4fy65-70vSuIAxQmxLSlN3PivGUtve7UtYV_pUtYXnL5L69j4IAe1vkO-YWzvSsyAIgcpi0jM2nI-zYWU9luckSZ/s6000/DSC03710.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3KuG9YY97uH_2Fy-OozcC9STjuX7ZVB4dHYSjyoROAHd3XEc6sJV4fy65-70vSuIAxQmxLSlN3PivGUtve7UtYV_pUtYXnL5L69j4IAe1vkO-YWzvSsyAIgcpi0jM2nI-zYWU9luckSZ/w640-h426/DSC03710.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRMnoV6XbFK2j-MjYLwF7asilCpzJdBLWcGUKRJd6-PNpKUKNC3kDjf5fy_4vJo3h6KSMd0Nn20Ez36eALsA8WLQiopfL78sk9P6EPice23bATQ8s3wAP6hA70f2M2nEjPAde4ATuIGQC/s4882/DSC03769.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3958" data-original-width="4882" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRMnoV6XbFK2j-MjYLwF7asilCpzJdBLWcGUKRJd6-PNpKUKNC3kDjf5fy_4vJo3h6KSMd0Nn20Ez36eALsA8WLQiopfL78sk9P6EPice23bATQ8s3wAP6hA70f2M2nEjPAde4ATuIGQC/w640-h518/DSC03769.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;">Upon entering our home you are greeted by a neutral pallet. This pumpkin was a new purchase for me from a second-hand store. </span></span></div><div><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3-rhbVohHytCqk4V_m-bgCubJWWieDgx8XV8gBrBBN3xNhoJ-qelZMgLy2iNCVE_VS_o8O0dybWFRvhO3oj6ju6uLpqMY85OkHx8Pm1at2yrXFVUh7Pj5V3fioIsBhbZrg7I42Qzatq6/s5392/DSC03810.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5392" data-original-width="3480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3-rhbVohHytCqk4V_m-bgCubJWWieDgx8XV8gBrBBN3xNhoJ-qelZMgLy2iNCVE_VS_o8O0dybWFRvhO3oj6ju6uLpqMY85OkHx8Pm1at2yrXFVUh7Pj5V3fioIsBhbZrg7I42Qzatq6/w414-h640/DSC03810.JPG" width="414" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;">And that is where the neutral ends!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;">I used the Pumpkin Patch sign I made last year. <a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2019/10/wood-sign-tutorial.html" target="_blank">(You can see how to make it here.) </a> Every year I want to try to be beautifully neutral like I see in some of the blogs I follow. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxAoIXbY2aa3LZJiq2C_LDsXkouhDsJq-dLRHtRkJ9NlyzL2b6B8aLfm9ZUyQnslKTYm5oGzD98i6qKv9N-tdaAiUwwA0xq6wkU0P6KuVTrZuwe_hRLkTtD5uYo8fm5ERhLKffQhddRv1/s6000/DSC03802.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxAoIXbY2aa3LZJiq2C_LDsXkouhDsJq-dLRHtRkJ9NlyzL2b6B8aLfm9ZUyQnslKTYm5oGzD98i6qKv9N-tdaAiUwwA0xq6wkU0P6KuVTrZuwe_hRLkTtD5uYo8fm5ERhLKffQhddRv1/w640-h426/DSC03802.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;">But, when push comes to shove I jump into color. I can't help myself! Blues and oranges and harvest gold play so nicely together. </span></span><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">I put the sign in same place as last year but did a little different arrangement with my fake pumpkins. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">My coffee table kept the summer tray that is usually filled with seashells and candles but now hosts pumpkins and faux fall greenery. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGEQXAdXnJZjT0_YsCDqNvBJcOidyCV5d3ofFe76aomVS1_ZXny9UJZjwI83SX7tVlrsBzrHHjBs65fU9J2q695mSgsDDgdq5yEQvNmTUA2fxoetCYfkEslJ9hyltuT_6E6tGzi-RK0aB/s6000/DSC03803.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGEQXAdXnJZjT0_YsCDqNvBJcOidyCV5d3ofFe76aomVS1_ZXny9UJZjwI83SX7tVlrsBzrHHjBs65fU9J2q695mSgsDDgdq5yEQvNmTUA2fxoetCYfkEslJ9hyltuT_6E6tGzi-RK0aB/w640-h426/DSC03803.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>And a look around the room. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLl9CQAriHXlwjAFEWWXynJ7NnClGW-MF29kCs_DbgSO7kHHitn8fkPZlW7MeVM8rvZtU1ShB_l1PDgXntLstTB7bIFfj6x1621ojUW0P9Q5L3hWbxccXI17qmSrPuWfdihA3bvZxZV9n/s4420/DSC03790.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4420" data-original-width="3922" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLl9CQAriHXlwjAFEWWXynJ7NnClGW-MF29kCs_DbgSO7kHHitn8fkPZlW7MeVM8rvZtU1ShB_l1PDgXntLstTB7bIFfj6x1621ojUW0P9Q5L3hWbxccXI17qmSrPuWfdihA3bvZxZV9n/w568-h640/DSC03790.JPG" width="568" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVga6ZTVx0NWllDymA7n4fwWz-OpBp61ZQZbwQ3afMLEhj_6lqeRw0dPRcJP53wuTsM0-0zWAf7E_egPWj3N-q750R1hOjTPWzyr5-tSySf_J92ivlsEBJ2dbBfeAQLQKR04TnrI3ywj1/s5275/DSC03791.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5275" data-original-width="3865" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVga6ZTVx0NWllDymA7n4fwWz-OpBp61ZQZbwQ3afMLEhj_6lqeRw0dPRcJP53wuTsM0-0zWAf7E_egPWj3N-q750R1hOjTPWzyr5-tSySf_J92ivlsEBJ2dbBfeAQLQKR04TnrI3ywj1/w468-h640/DSC03791.JPG" width="468" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2r0Ib7fRkXxA1vlRUPN9jLcPd6A5Cnx_E9f7_RqdrsAxTee5Vtn73YZRXz-EdBoeHKshShspccLFUqRVgMDpQBAm6LGacim9Cnhk-q2_tPklpYFbOZttAniLPietosW5Na7AlVZwhGEEJ/s6000/DSC03798.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2r0Ib7fRkXxA1vlRUPN9jLcPd6A5Cnx_E9f7_RqdrsAxTee5Vtn73YZRXz-EdBoeHKshShspccLFUqRVgMDpQBAm6LGacim9Cnhk-q2_tPklpYFbOZttAniLPietosW5Na7AlVZwhGEEJ/w426-h640/DSC03798.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5b9-ock_aRMAlO7FNBVF4vMPCTkKiLbA0eOUUENJNiPdtBvsuuiGiwFUVtKjOZFxjVqwN7ZZCM1gqpZUJTwiWHS1Y90-N0Oc95pKDfk7WEAmzdk5xhIacerNM5qk3kjucBUd_7xOhu56G/s6000/DSC03807.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5b9-ock_aRMAlO7FNBVF4vMPCTkKiLbA0eOUUENJNiPdtBvsuuiGiwFUVtKjOZFxjVqwN7ZZCM1gqpZUJTwiWHS1Y90-N0Oc95pKDfk7WEAmzdk5xhIacerNM5qk3kjucBUd_7xOhu56G/w640-h426/DSC03807.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;">I don't want our home to feel precious or too pretty. I want it to be warm and inviting but comfortable like the romantic ideas of a Norman Rockwell picture. With that in mind, I will continue to ready my home expecting that God will bring that gift of gathering through our front door. We will not let the circumstances of the world around us keep us from anticipating and preparing for all the joys this season will bring. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Autumn Blessings</i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b><i> to you and yours. </i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">Link parties:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://grammysgrid.com/unlimited-monthly-link-party-17/" target="_blank">Grammy's Grid</a>, <a href="https://www.chiconashoestringdecoratingblog.com/" target="_blank">Chic On A Shoestring</a>, <a href="https://katherinescorner.com/2020/10/08/apples-and-tft-link-party/" target="_blank">Katherine's Corner</a>, <a href="https://www.shabbyartboutique.com/2020/10/create-bake-grow-gather-party-440.html" target="_blank">Shabby Art Boutique</a>, <a href="https://www.thepinjunkie.com/2020/10/pin-junkie-pin-party-389.html" target="_blank">The Pin Junkie</a>, <a href="https://blueskyathome.com/tuesday-turn-about-link-party-70/" target="_blank">Blue Sky At Home</a></span></div><div><span face="Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-55255187263421455222020-08-02T18:48:00.007-04:002020-08-19T07:04:08.075-04:00How To Add Living Space For Less Than $1 A Square Foot<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>** Boy, math was never my thing. The truth is this was less than $.55 per square foot! </i></b></div>
<br />
Everyone who has ever built anything or bought property knows that it is impossible to add square footage to your living space for less than two dollars per square foot...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> until now!</b></div>
<br />
15 years ago, or so we had built a deck kinda in the shape of a baseball field (at least in my mind). It's just pressure treated 2x4's sitting on stones and bricks around the perimeter and then filled in with pressure treated 2x4's for the decking. It has been pressure washed multiple times and painted with the <i><b>special paint</b></i> that is supposed to hold up to outdoor weather... not so much. It's okay, but does need to be painted again. In all fairness, it was done 5 years ago, <a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2015/06/step-outside.html" target="_blank">in this post</a>.<br />
<br />
<img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3WaCidJqZBbrG0I8_CeTfe80FD7nigEjYU9IfdVBtr_YbGG-AeNlohA2pHpgK4oyOs_dXNBwWLlnrqjhLPfAWO7-kXOaCdAHcNSpz6mDRJpp6cxcf1GXA5jIfCvm3fLfwGtosfiabhxq/s640/IMG_3161.JPG" width="480" /><br />
<br />
We purchased an offset umbrella and it nicely covers the patio table and chairs. It tilts so we can catch the sun/guard against it regardless of where it is positioned in the sky. I love spending mornings and evenings out there. It's nice but it's<b><i> just</i></b> the back deck.<br />
<br />
Much more time than usual has been spent out there these past several months as is probably the case in many of your homes and yards. Usually, we are running off here and there to enjoy all that summer has to offer in New England but this year it is different; places are very limited in time and amount of guests, some places didn't make it and won't reopen at all. Some places we can't travel to without quarantining ourselves when we get there and when we come home.<br />
<br />
That got me to thinking, "What exactly is it that I am missing about those places?" Places we like to visit usually are in close proximity to the ocean... Well, okay, I can't do anything about <i><b>that</b></i> but there is usually live music, good food and a little atmosphere... Hmmm...<br />
<br />
This one took no time to sell to Mister on. If you ask him he would say it was all <b><i>his</i></b> idea to begin with. I quickly placed an order on Amazon.<br />
<br />
The next day we were off to the Home Depot! We purchased 4 flanges and 4 plumbing pipes that are approximately 10 feet long and we headed back home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4wvJ6QV6aIyR2iRGwDDrgVT-opx2l1HLU4t5jP22jRSFDT4QIG1ubCn-nuLALB9hOGFNxrYR6kWNIG0qDuoGMoaJ6bQPdK4wRdhRENHIwePgIuIZ3awZfAcmYOe7c0GiEDpd0SCyXRqo/s1600/IMG_2154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4wvJ6QV6aIyR2iRGwDDrgVT-opx2l1HLU4t5jP22jRSFDT4QIG1ubCn-nuLALB9hOGFNxrYR6kWNIG0qDuoGMoaJ6bQPdK4wRdhRENHIwePgIuIZ3awZfAcmYOe7c0GiEDpd0SCyXRqo/s640/IMG_2154.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNbQWWjog5q4n6TGn6lS2IfIdABd_LJI4LvYt_LBkZ43wFCX-42a33Ud-OByC29H8E_ggw_WZbkxSLO3wspXAx4PsFy30LzPBgMwz3Ypsc-YFeyod-VhsI3x0ZeLVxmkytMqOR68Fl20s/s1600/IMG_2155.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNbQWWjog5q4n6TGn6lS2IfIdABd_LJI4LvYt_LBkZ43wFCX-42a33Ud-OByC29H8E_ggw_WZbkxSLO3wspXAx4PsFy30LzPBgMwz3Ypsc-YFeyod-VhsI3x0ZeLVxmkytMqOR68Fl20s/s640/IMG_2155.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Mister pounded the pipes into the ground with a rubber mallet until only 8 feet was sticking up. We used a level to do our best at keeping them from leaning one way or the other. This photo shows that either we were way off or I take photos at the wrong angles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqO5tuTOGZNEDy0WGom9aGS4rB4e3sFjFj6U7F93X_xwF2YuUyP9sU3350n9dZGPXvyM8MMwpSIUOwP3vle53jfMdu0eKf2j9ziAYJ0WhVMPWC7FJm7jURNHPgAQ3-k2K6DJZZT0vZv8x6/s1600/IMG_2157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqO5tuTOGZNEDy0WGom9aGS4rB4e3sFjFj6U7F93X_xwF2YuUyP9sU3350n9dZGPXvyM8MMwpSIUOwP3vle53jfMdu0eKf2j9ziAYJ0WhVMPWC7FJm7jURNHPgAQ3-k2K6DJZZT0vZv8x6/s640/IMG_2157.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mister then threaded the flanges on to the tops of the poles. The flanges got a coat of black spray paint so they won't rust. (Believe me they will. We had to go back and do this step after the first rain!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhGhQZP2oLzPDfcH8j5qO5ePqgZM1pkAoPPczAgt83m0XEtCub64dUGOm08Spp6gmPnKAAhzH8REWtFxNu17uJf08_wKBaRuDF7SNfC5FkdF2Ex-Lv0Nuc-ZBZEV-h6P08QfUEkkAlkvU/s1600/IMG_2159.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhGhQZP2oLzPDfcH8j5qO5ePqgZM1pkAoPPczAgt83m0XEtCub64dUGOm08Spp6gmPnKAAhzH8REWtFxNu17uJf08_wKBaRuDF7SNfC5FkdF2Ex-Lv0Nuc-ZBZEV-h6P08QfUEkkAlkvU/s640/IMG_2159.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0e_pxxnZJbKBXQU1drk4gfQLDsYyHtNAXEj9QJpBjXGs6Xv1duCVrI8GYDh2DtajOsLMtxzm_HN4eHf4W3YO89GsrdNQvByBrIcnkzfyYou6zgQ423R40ZNWjvPhWZJIZQuL6qgi9u2T/s1600/IMG_2160.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0e_pxxnZJbKBXQU1drk4gfQLDsYyHtNAXEj9QJpBjXGs6Xv1duCVrI8GYDh2DtajOsLMtxzm_HN4eHf4W3YO89GsrdNQvByBrIcnkzfyYou6zgQ423R40ZNWjvPhWZJIZQuL6qgi9u2T/s640/IMG_2160.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
We scrounged around to find some S hooks we had used for another project and attached one to each pole. Mister put some caulking at the top to cover the hole down into the pole. And right about then my package from Amazon showed up. Perfect timing!<br />
<br />
Inside the package was led string lights. We strung the lights along the poles with a little draping and secured the ends with zip-ties.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJgIX938-J2YF7QzydBjPF7dfwzgeZp_DqBcW1a02kdroZzhJb2o0S1rSBfmq6V2i6IoKnmESwJ3W8uEVYOWCeU9LguzNuNjilI6qBMfQXCk4rFqJPZgJQouripZR8c3wSJ8pbxqRk5Ku/s1600/IMG_2161_LI.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1482" data-original-width="1600" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJgIX938-J2YF7QzydBjPF7dfwzgeZp_DqBcW1a02kdroZzhJb2o0S1rSBfmq6V2i6IoKnmESwJ3W8uEVYOWCeU9LguzNuNjilI6qBMfQXCk4rFqJPZgJQouripZR8c3wSJ8pbxqRk5Ku/s640/IMG_2161_LI.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2YLIt6V8ot0kqSTsy9mynDovI7iCgLXV1StXMb705mmQ2mwjxbGp0Cr81SpFcTamANY_Vih4dMpyJ-X5tB6IjYc0k_sECzJH5pasttIqw0LNgXQVe0qJ18JcD8nkngeBUii-LeN52BxI/s1600/IMG_2162.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2YLIt6V8ot0kqSTsy9mynDovI7iCgLXV1StXMb705mmQ2mwjxbGp0Cr81SpFcTamANY_Vih4dMpyJ-X5tB6IjYc0k_sECzJH5pasttIqw0LNgXQVe0qJ18JcD8nkngeBUii-LeN52BxI/s640/IMG_2162.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Now we could rest from our day's labor. (It truly took about 2 hours, including the trip to Home Depot). Mister cooked us some dinner on the grill and we ate as listening to music and watching the sun go down.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeBsAN_0Cz_QeLrBXzohGiMyferPxfQno5QTLtjF59DmEqdMu36Ek9PCDsgDhbfAqF_TBlnC5HevF5UOFW3LmlfsChvsBFowiwoKPJGHGbCdpC9AjJ_So1hNvHsyLQrFfAjx6aH4Y4Vm0/s1600/IMG_2173+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeBsAN_0Cz_QeLrBXzohGiMyferPxfQno5QTLtjF59DmEqdMu36Ek9PCDsgDhbfAqF_TBlnC5HevF5UOFW3LmlfsChvsBFowiwoKPJGHGbCdpC9AjJ_So1hNvHsyLQrFfAjx6aH4Y4Vm0/s640/IMG_2173+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uuTLp8yQc51MetS4gPFo6hUm-GGxgwzIQ9OxYPwE01BuM-MFKG-ehNnUFXo7t417HdFy5crpLSR2WX3u4sUhI-lpIA8OnjckVsv6GrH8zcL9ALp46Bnsk9DHsNXsOn5zSMYS9Ymwt7Sj/s1600/IMG_2191+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uuTLp8yQc51MetS4gPFo6hUm-GGxgwzIQ9OxYPwE01BuM-MFKG-ehNnUFXo7t417HdFy5crpLSR2WX3u4sUhI-lpIA8OnjckVsv6GrH8zcL9ALp46Bnsk9DHsNXsOn5zSMYS9Ymwt7Sj/s640/IMG_2191+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
As the daylight waned our music got a little louder. With a glass of wine in hand we witnessed true magic. Those little globe lights, without any provocation, whisked us away from all the scary news of this world and we just sat there, in our new <b><i>room, </i></b>at the back of our house! We danced to Ed Sheeran as fireflies twinkled in approval just beyond our "walls".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJdcRW0Vf5xT1HME2RXbuXBeG1pPejeyxahLLrltYvl9sYEjs5BA8433BHUqP8s39IggPyuia3dJIE7CVTDQdwbcfANVCFybk8d8xWFt5BxugVuOOYmLZCaJjJasI2zjgZzBQir9MTwEx/s1600/DSC03598.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJdcRW0Vf5xT1HME2RXbuXBeG1pPejeyxahLLrltYvl9sYEjs5BA8433BHUqP8s39IggPyuia3dJIE7CVTDQdwbcfANVCFybk8d8xWFt5BxugVuOOYmLZCaJjJasI2zjgZzBQir9MTwEx/s640/DSC03598.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uDxTBk_oA02eDGEvhufLKqOrI3uTDvgimirbhhz084bwM83MCNzG1v5jUtzxyvBOmqTJNdEnegV8nRx0I0jreOmiSA3lRjbf0bpqGo1sjbQemVV4OzTg237YEVez7ljgEwz6d3fwIH42/s1600/DSC03606.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uDxTBk_oA02eDGEvhufLKqOrI3uTDvgimirbhhz084bwM83MCNzG1v5jUtzxyvBOmqTJNdEnegV8nRx0I0jreOmiSA3lRjbf0bpqGo1sjbQemVV4OzTg237YEVez7ljgEwz6d3fwIH42/s640/DSC03606.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now, for those who want to know how I got my figure of $2 per square foot: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4 flanges-$31.88, 4 poles - $57.24, globe lights-$43.99,tax- $8.24 for a total of $141.35 to gain a 16'x16' room=$.55 per square foot. We had the spray paint, the s-hooks and caulking from other projects. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
No, we can't use it in the winter and yes, we do have mosquitoes in New England but right now, in these strange times, to us this new room is priceless. These little lights changed my anxious, worried and scared perspective and they brought to mind the changes light can bring. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span data-offset="1" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">The</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span data-offset="2" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">light</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span data-offset="3" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">shines</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span data-offset="4" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">in</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span data-offset="5" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">the</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span data-offset="6" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">darkness</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span data-offset="7" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">and</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span data-offset="8" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">the</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span data-offset="9" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">darkness</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span data-offset="10" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">has</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span data-offset="11" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">not</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span data-offset="12" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">overcome</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"> </span><span data-offset="13" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">it</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">John 1:5</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px;"><span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="29" data-ref="62001005" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-indent: 20px;"><span data-offset="19">God</span> <span data-offset="20">is</span> <span data-offset="21">light</span>, <span data-offset="22">and</span> <span data-offset="23">in</span> <span data-offset="24">him</span> <span data-offset="25">is</span> <span data-offset="26">no</span> <span data-offset="27">darkness</span> <span data-offset="28">at</span> <span data-offset="29">all</span>.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-indent: 20px;"> </span><span class="verse" data-last-offset="21" data-ref="62001006" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-indent: 20px;"><span data-offset="1">If</span> <span data-offset="2">we</span> <span data-offset="3">say</span> <span data-offset="4">we</span> <span data-offset="5">have</span> <span data-offset="6">fellowship</span> <span data-offset="7">with</span> <span data-offset="8">him</span> <span data-offset="9">while</span> <span data-offset="10">we</span> <span data-offset="11">walk</span> <span data-offset="12">in</span> <span data-offset="13">darkness</span>, <span data-offset="14">we</span> <span data-offset="15">lie</span> <span data-offset="16">and</span> <span data-offset="17">do</span> <span data-offset="18">not</span> <span data-offset="19">practice</span> <span data-offset="20">the</span> <span data-offset="21">truth</span>.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-indent: 20px;"> </span><span class="verse" data-last-offset="31" data-ref="62001007" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-indent: 20px;"><span class="verse-num" style="line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"> </span><span data-offset="1">But</span> <span data-offset="2">if</span> <span data-offset="3">we</span> <span data-offset="4">walk</span> <span data-offset="5">in</span> <span data-offset="6">the</span> <span data-offset="7">light</span>, <span data-offset="8">as</span> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="31" data-ref="62001007" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-indent: 20px;"><span data-offset="9">he</span> <span data-offset="10">is</span> <span data-offset="11">in</span> <span data-offset="12">the</span> <span data-offset="13">light</span>, <span data-offset="14">we</span> <span data-offset="15">have</span> <span data-offset="16">fellowship</span> <span data-offset="17">with</span> <span data-offset="18">one</span> <span data-offset="19">another</span>, <span data-offset="20">and</span> <span data-offset="21">the</span> <span data-offset="22">blood</span> <span data-offset="23">of</span> <span data-offset="24">Jesus</span> <span data-offset="25">his</span> <span data-offset="26">Son</span> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="31" data-ref="62001007" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-indent: 20px;"><span data-offset="27">cleanses</span> <span data-offset="28">us</span> <span data-offset="29">from</span> <span data-offset="30">all</span> <span data-offset="31">sin</span>.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-indent: 20px;"> </span><span class="verse" data-last-offset="17" data-ref="62001008" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-indent: 20px;"><span data-offset="1">If</span> <span data-offset="2">we</span> <span data-offset="3">say</span> <span data-offset="4">we</span> <span data-offset="5">have</span> <span data-offset="6">no</span> <span data-offset="7">sin</span>, <span data-offset="8">we</span> <span data-offset="9">deceive</span> <span data-offset="10">ourselves</span>, <span data-offset="11">and</span> <span data-offset="12">the</span> <span data-offset="13">truth</span> <span data-offset="14">is</span> <span data-offset="15">not</span> <span data-offset="16">in</span> <span data-offset="17">us</span>.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-indent: 20px;"> </span><span class="verse" data-last-offset="22" data-ref="62001009" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-indent: 20px;"><span data-offset="1">If</span> <span data-offset="2">we</span> <span data-offset="3">confess</span> <span data-offset="4">our</span> <span data-offset="5">sins</span>, <span data-offset="6">he</span> <span data-offset="7">is</span> <span data-offset="8">faithful</span> <span data-offset="9">and</span> <span data-offset="10">just</span> <span data-offset="11">to</span> <span data-offset="12">forgive</span> <span data-offset="13">us</span> <span data-offset="14">our</span> <span data-offset="15">sins</span> <span data-offset="16">and</span> <span data-offset="17">to</span> <span data-offset="18">cleanse</span> <span data-offset="19">us</span> <span data-offset="20">from</span> <span data-offset="21">all</span> <span data-offset="22">unrighteousness</span>.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-indent: 20px;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-indent: 20px;"><span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">1 John 1:5-9</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #514d47; font-family: "sentinel a", "sentinel b", "gentium plus", ezra, georgia, times, serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-indent: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thanks for spending time with me today. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Praying you are finding ways to bring peace into your own lives. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Jolena</b></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><b style="font-style: italic;">** </b>originally this post was titled How To Add Living Space For Less Than $2 A Square Foot due to my reversing my numbers when doing the math. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Linking up to parties on these blogs:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.loulougirls.com/2020/08/lou-lou-girls-fabulous-party-331.html" target="_blank">Lou Lou Girls</a>, <a href="http://www.stonecottageadventures.com/2020/08/youre-star-blog-hop-august-week-1.html" target="_blank">Stone Cottage Adventures</a>, <a href="https://ducksnarow.com/2020/08/happiness-is-homemade-link-party-51.html" target="_blank">Ducks N'A Row</a>, <a href="https://acrosstheblvd.com/beautifully-made-link-party-124-for-home-decor/" target="_blank">Across The Blvd</a>, <a href="https://apriljharris.com/pause-and-refresh-at-the-hearth-and-soul-link-party/" target="_blank">April J Harris</a>, <a href="https://www.farmhouse40.com/inspire-me-monday-285/" target="_blank">Farmhouse 40</a>, <a href="https://lovemylittlecottage.com/little-cottage-link-party62/" target="_blank">Love My Little Cottage</a>, <a href="https://jenerallyinformed.com/2020/08/the-happy-now-blog-link-up-227/" target="_blank">Jenerally Informed</a>, <a href="https://myweeabode.com/tuesday-turn-about-august-finds/" target="_blank">My Wee Abode</a>, <a href="https://madincrafts.com/mad-skills-479/" target="_blank">Mad In Crafts</a>, <a href="https://mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com/2020/08/vintage-charm-party-244-and-july.html" target="_blank">My Thrift Store Addiction</a>, <a href="https://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/oh-my-heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-218/">Oh My Heartsie Girl</a>, <a href="https://www.thepinjunkie.com/2020/07/pin-junkie-pin-party-379.html" target="_blank">The Pin Junkie</a>, <a href="https://katherinescorner.com/2020/08/06/think-pink-and-tft/" target="_blank">Katherine's Corner</a>, <a href="https://www.thepinjunkie.com/2020/08/pin-junkie-pin-party-380.html" target="_blank">The Pin Junkie</a>, <a href="https://www.shabbyartboutique.com/2020/08/create-bake-grow-gather-party431.html" target="_blank">Shabby Art Boutique</a>, <a href="https://www.impartinggrace.com/2020/08/grace-at-home-no-390.html" target="_blank">Imparting Grace</a>, <a href="https://thecottagemarket.com/a-morning-cup-of-joe-filled-with-features-and-linky-party-12/" target="_blank">The Cottage Market</a>, <a href="https://www.pamspartyandpracticaltips.com/2020/07/dare-to-share-428.html" target="_blank">Pam's Party and Practical Tips</a>, <a href="https://grammysgrid.com/unlimited-monthly-link-party-15/" target="_blank">Grammy's Grid</a>, <a href="https://www.zucchinisisters.com/celebrate-your-story-244/" target="_blank">The Zucchini Sisters</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://grammysgrid.com/unlimited-monthly-link-party-15/" target="_blank">, </a></div>
<br />While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-86919234868613559542020-07-01T06:43:00.003-04:002020-08-19T07:06:52.118-04:00Over Due Bathroom Do-OverIf you have followed along in the last two posts you know that our small and only full-bath in the house was getting a new floor. The catalyst for the decision was that I wanted storage space that the room greatly lacked. We did a mini update on that bathroom about 10 years ago with a limited budget. Because an old steam radiator stood in the way I was convinced that we couldn't put in a vanity so we opted for a pedestal sink. My thinking was, "It's a small room so keep the necessary pieces small to make it not feel cramped."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MTfHT8LTnxdgvZfJ2OMSIvWQuR8ffOx1DJv93bG2-BSktWnYkdEUSCAdAuqwGrepewyZR2i2HAcMzfZQ39g0y8etPdDpBhneK8AdOybvFwSORRmpdLJilv0PkSSh8NcUMNCqEZ2qYxq_/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MTfHT8LTnxdgvZfJ2OMSIvWQuR8ffOx1DJv93bG2-BSktWnYkdEUSCAdAuqwGrepewyZR2i2HAcMzfZQ39g0y8etPdDpBhneK8AdOybvFwSORRmpdLJilv0PkSSh8NcUMNCqEZ2qYxq_/s640/IMG_1736.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
While living in the house for all these years it has bothered me that the steam radiator in that room was just about useless, being the last radiator on the line. Annoyed with the fact that it took up such precious real estate in the small room, I was determined to get rid of it. I got Mister on board and that hunk of metal was kicked to the curb. (Not really, they're wicked heavy! You'd break your foot.) You can read about the in floor heating <a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2020/06/heating-things-up.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2020/06/warm-toe-and-tones-radiant-heat-and.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
That left me with a blank slate, or at least a little less crowded slate. We are not changing the tub nor the storage next to the door. So, with grid paper in hand and some photos that I had squirreled away on Pinterest I went to work measuring, planning and shopping online. Here was my preliminary thoughts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7ZzuMJcL9u3frx5f8tyA1EouUkWeFW0uNtyx5zr1iKQbB40MpArRkYLtmH7XU3nihruZ6kI0GHgwAaAuCOWj4a1Vhm7lplGVvHuluXp__ucod83u9N6mVe-5T2bihUiwV2oGemqmgFby/s1600/bathroom+elevation+wm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1442" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7ZzuMJcL9u3frx5f8tyA1EouUkWeFW0uNtyx5zr1iKQbB40MpArRkYLtmH7XU3nihruZ6kI0GHgwAaAuCOWj4a1Vhm7lplGVvHuluXp__ucod83u9N6mVe-5T2bihUiwV2oGemqmgFby/s640/bathroom+elevation+wm.jpg" width="576" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This step in imperative for me in order to get Mister on board. I don't explain my visions well and he doesn't picture these things in his mind's eye the way I do. Also, with space being a premium I need to make sure everything was going to fit and not look/feel too crowded. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My number two problem with the bathroom, after getting rid of the radiator, was that the toilet flange sits so far away from the outside wall. ( "Number two" haha! I crack myself up! Yes, that was potty humor. Ha! I did it again!) This is an old house and that waste pipe was retrofitted to a house that probably didn't originally have indoor plumbing. Long story short, we can't move it without a plumber and mucho money! We opted for a toilet made by Kohler. It has an elongated bowl and the tank sits far enough back that it takes up some of that space. This was a whole ugly business trying to find and get during Covid but we did it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbcn52H_lCRIJCDz10bNwbXSttXkhE1lUofP5TxXaSF5ZoBL1b9SMAfxpr2K-ze145Ac6uRhkezoL_IXZ83uRuop84QqAUPaYajzIZ7_UfokUTi-lLNvQi8DA9NUvquFOh0oPQWf2_Af7/s1600/toilet+wm+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="996" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbcn52H_lCRIJCDz10bNwbXSttXkhE1lUofP5TxXaSF5ZoBL1b9SMAfxpr2K-ze145Ac6uRhkezoL_IXZ83uRuop84QqAUPaYajzIZ7_UfokUTi-lLNvQi8DA9NUvquFOh0oPQWf2_Af7/s640/toilet+wm+.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had Mister cut a hole in the wall that plumbing and electrical chases down into. A small niche was made using left over plywood and some scrap pieces of flooring. A piece of glass from a local company divides the space for apothecary jars housing q-tips and flossers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdOremwpXm3dMkKDW15LVVbpg-q9sSubz-BmKha7JdBzQpaCrROIZLVN6rzQDScRX2l8LaDPzNj8lxiH5XxtTHMjF1ZxkA04cRlzCfuhPxcSWHAHhx3pl8UdOo1cxi-BfTaYM8BBO0p6W/s1600/IMG_1956.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdOremwpXm3dMkKDW15LVVbpg-q9sSubz-BmKha7JdBzQpaCrROIZLVN6rzQDScRX2l8LaDPzNj8lxiH5XxtTHMjF1ZxkA04cRlzCfuhPxcSWHAHhx3pl8UdOo1cxi-BfTaYM8BBO0p6W/s640/IMG_1956.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkgaoH2relToU6ZtsVDONLnSVWC1gRcOKmbFudxFb13o7zcHkOVWzFKlbntgdykgpk-xOR6OWK0kzmGNqOuPufDoNQlAO0NnAs-qSWXuTlIzEcYxwCGu6dctH2YLvPJj8-wONZbgK47DH/s1600/niche+wall+wm+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkgaoH2relToU6ZtsVDONLnSVWC1gRcOKmbFudxFb13o7zcHkOVWzFKlbntgdykgpk-xOR6OWK0kzmGNqOuPufDoNQlAO0NnAs-qSWXuTlIzEcYxwCGu6dctH2YLvPJj8-wONZbgK47DH/s640/niche+wall+wm+.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5JIdIaVr4lg74L3o2PgNDPxA4teAZFwi27vUJo4hxVlKWMyZm1b4ESxHAJdZ93TiOTF9eR0qFLqOUCvnhK2Q-1XAm5L_sSIU0ua5uVNId9Llrg5_Uol7KcNAPQ5sAoBRv7HrD7R3NIMM/s1600/niche+wm+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1248" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5JIdIaVr4lg74L3o2PgNDPxA4teAZFwi27vUJo4hxVlKWMyZm1b4ESxHAJdZ93TiOTF9eR0qFLqOUCvnhK2Q-1XAm5L_sSIU0ua5uVNId9Llrg5_Uol7KcNAPQ5sAoBRv7HrD7R3NIMM/s640/niche+wm+.jpg" width="498" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The plastic apothecary jars in the niche were from Amazon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The vanity was a stresser for me. I went back and forth on a 30" versus 36" length. Since I am working with a small space I want to make sure knees aren't hitting the vanity when someone is using the potty. I also don't want the room to feel stuffed and tight. Mister was the voice of reason here. We got the 36" vanity with the understanding that we could always return it if it was too big but we're going to try to get the most storage possible. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I found a vanity in stock at my local Home Depot and was able to order the back splash pieces to match online. In this old house nothing is straight, flush, level or at a 90 degree angle so some finagling has to take place to get things to look and fit right. Here we had to cut into the drywall to get the top to sit on the vanity right. "Don't worry," Mister said, "a little caulking and nobody will ever know." I have learned that caulking in an old house is like wearing a little, black dress; it is a master at tricking the eye! Oh, and the size? Perfect! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KtxMgj4wQuLYcNRu7NwXUkMZHD23hvjUxrAX27YNG9CU09qiNO_3awkE_uiU5PLMTXlGWErgGULj2RW2rCdI1owe9D1IbU_2BNuepHbjAsp7kQhbZHGFjBJgRXQ4kFNMNh15qhftdARy/s1600/IMG_1935.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KtxMgj4wQuLYcNRu7NwXUkMZHD23hvjUxrAX27YNG9CU09qiNO_3awkE_uiU5PLMTXlGWErgGULj2RW2rCdI1owe9D1IbU_2BNuepHbjAsp7kQhbZHGFjBJgRXQ4kFNMNh15qhftdARy/s640/IMG_1935.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And a piece of trim down the side by the wall will get a coat of paint to match the vanity. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbsjzXtV3Ydt-2n9PaBQiHV0YM39vTBSOkQ09MoAU-ir-EGZKTU1GEvogWgfOH1avZS8gW56b7_kqAlp-PHnEv2UrRUgKvBd4QaZRP92Zj6T7i5BZg8bvf5D1dLXusrtg8YFtomQmBz6h/s1600/IMG_1937.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbsjzXtV3Ydt-2n9PaBQiHV0YM39vTBSOkQ09MoAU-ir-EGZKTU1GEvogWgfOH1avZS8gW56b7_kqAlp-PHnEv2UrRUgKvBd4QaZRP92Zj6T7i5BZg8bvf5D1dLXusrtg8YFtomQmBz6h/s640/IMG_1937.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another Home Depot a few towns away had the faucet I wanted.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFOEadLPV4dYXcxRc-n53ukP9QJB62ee61U8rfFb8YYlgjmZV8SiFGZzbbADocoFVtaCBvNRCzmwKF0Yol-xjBQCmolr_a8BhO897MYNOlEVaFI3euZBm-Bb8oArs3Wuf7hFAHj6FHATT/s1600/vanity+lights+off+wm+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFOEadLPV4dYXcxRc-n53ukP9QJB62ee61U8rfFb8YYlgjmZV8SiFGZzbbADocoFVtaCBvNRCzmwKF0Yol-xjBQCmolr_a8BhO897MYNOlEVaFI3euZBm-Bb8oArs3Wuf7hFAHj6FHATT/s640/vanity+lights+off+wm+.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I waffled between wall sconces and pendant lights. I opted for pendant lights with mixed metal. I love the black but wanted to introduce a bit of the trendy champagne gold to warm up all the cool tones. The flooring has both those warm and cool tones so I am taking my cue from that. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4YkZx6nhY13m_JjrNI5PSRpYfste4wetLpdzTALa3iQU51wrnEOf45-2mZNa582JOrxaQ6z-1VdJ9M7ElxA4tiLZ8nU4Lp3UTG3ZYr2AYBUpEZIZMEcj5Iu7VL8LQj3zHpNokKeOvo9V/s1600/sink+lights+off+wm+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4YkZx6nhY13m_JjrNI5PSRpYfste4wetLpdzTALa3iQU51wrnEOf45-2mZNa582JOrxaQ6z-1VdJ9M7ElxA4tiLZ8nU4Lp3UTG3ZYr2AYBUpEZIZMEcj5Iu7VL8LQj3zHpNokKeOvo9V/s640/sink+lights+off+wm+.jpg" width="390" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASuWhLlvLn0NgZXw6pw2PQO8u1PsalIu824PzgfCtz2giZg_Y9xS9DNPJ5wDDqv-aIWsV3OaAkNoEmPgxcKlBVVqChtdAdDkWXi7TFjpUh6Cpgc40Ll11_s2N6Sq4weXJvIofMuEOe98D/s1600/Sink+with+lights+up+wm+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASuWhLlvLn0NgZXw6pw2PQO8u1PsalIu824PzgfCtz2giZg_Y9xS9DNPJ5wDDqv-aIWsV3OaAkNoEmPgxcKlBVVqChtdAdDkWXi7TFjpUh6Cpgc40Ll11_s2N6Sq4weXJvIofMuEOe98D/s640/Sink+with+lights+up+wm+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Like so many other people, my Amazon Prime membership really paid off during quarantine time. The vanity came with hardware but I wanted drawer pulls to match the gold in the pendant lights.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img height="315" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/815R3qeLKML._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9qk-2Jqw5R2k1wOmNxCb70KGjoEC9nMf4Y-30eFuyRzAos9CEmRiHiZbMJ6VW-C-q9l-5bOpzkS9oaiVUCDYlcRlVDsEjmwQL5wLYEWcq2VB5gXpKn5N1OzosbE7uDVxgFy7FWJNWrX4/s1600/vanity+base+wm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9qk-2Jqw5R2k1wOmNxCb70KGjoEC9nMf4Y-30eFuyRzAos9CEmRiHiZbMJ6VW-C-q9l-5bOpzkS9oaiVUCDYlcRlVDsEjmwQL5wLYEWcq2VB5gXpKn5N1OzosbE7uDVxgFy7FWJNWrX4/s640/vanity+base+wm.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bath mat towels in a dark gray will replace the rug that used to be there. It stays draped over the tub edge instead a rug on the floor. A hand towel bar and toilet paper holder in flat black and a big round mirror finish off the vanity area. I LOVE the mirror. The frame is rubber!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEZ0wzdR-10MJkj7FsHvBmhfq5aCs6c0jGoPJDGvI-AtfRtmsXNvLKk24LAmaA0ivnSXOyIAgj5wNTSNrDgCTyfQML6cVpoKo0IVfmmhQi4b9PF4UB7LDblrkNgcq7ByIWqRpZ_IElDyg/s1600/Sink+with+lights+wm+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEZ0wzdR-10MJkj7FsHvBmhfq5aCs6c0jGoPJDGvI-AtfRtmsXNvLKk24LAmaA0ivnSXOyIAgj5wNTSNrDgCTyfQML6cVpoKo0IVfmmhQi4b9PF4UB7LDblrkNgcq7ByIWqRpZ_IElDyg/s640/Sink+with+lights+wm+.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Can you see a peek of the new shower curtain there? I loved the graphic design of this octopus shower curtain. I showed it to Mister and he said, "Yup, that's the one!" Because the curtain hangs lower and because these floors are not level I had to cut about seven inches off the bottom and re-hem the curtain. Thankfully, it didn't cut into his head. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCD9qGgo1G1OUrnSnofOOOPxSCb9TONhvVun12gku4yNeGZVyz_cihwl58PtWHxmBXT9QGzsSyb2F0pvIwobE3XhHjiRndnOrAxnOaQBLvtQGIYnxrsPI15ftxjXr1iyJENlr4-O9z7R-/s1600/octopus++wm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCD9qGgo1G1OUrnSnofOOOPxSCb9TONhvVun12gku4yNeGZVyz_cihwl58PtWHxmBXT9QGzsSyb2F0pvIwobE3XhHjiRndnOrAxnOaQBLvtQGIYnxrsPI15ftxjXr1iyJENlr4-O9z7R-/s640/octopus++wm.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had a couple of the better photos I had taken over the years enlarged at Walgreens photo center and I framed them to hang over the niche and over the toilet. Art doesn't have to be expensive.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5CFnIik_EAH6_sghFWkdH3S5p_Mx3n4fJynSgASGl5tPTsADsiXHVOfjiYyEpuJgiYwoTntFer10w00O6knotTnGsMX8ij1ro3cVGb1fzdktdSaJ0vaYhh7usjshZLzKD4BQeLKBv3wx/s1600/art+and+fern+wm+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1226" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5CFnIik_EAH6_sghFWkdH3S5p_Mx3n4fJynSgASGl5tPTsADsiXHVOfjiYyEpuJgiYwoTntFer10w00O6knotTnGsMX8ij1ro3cVGb1fzdktdSaJ0vaYhh7usjshZLzKD4BQeLKBv3wx/s640/art+and+fern+wm+.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgZEu0j-IGMlDl9TJ2FqVTWfsAXG09nVvQ6WFWIu5K1nUH-SLGeiKtShoR2m8qQOcxMxv7l2BPtoJ7sohpvDra3V3QnyfOed-b3FowY9mRj4ZKS8XLr51tiA6X0GHGqkBEEeeSpBFqxqA/s1600/rock+art+wm+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1369" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgZEu0j-IGMlDl9TJ2FqVTWfsAXG09nVvQ6WFWIu5K1nUH-SLGeiKtShoR2m8qQOcxMxv7l2BPtoJ7sohpvDra3V3QnyfOed-b3FowY9mRj4ZKS8XLr51tiA6X0GHGqkBEEeeSpBFqxqA/s640/rock+art+wm+.jpg" width="546" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And a little zhooshing...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPg8wTV3msDUKD6sLNRJ9eHsb8LCm2L8UV4WALZWp2OKxTZdAC3KGuZxVpRrlAcNJhhoEaoSg6J6-Zs4ylInnEdJqmObOSnI2SAqSRKmqXjQ8zV0d6N6ATv3kj8M6LOg5LnDt1wjjJyRrh/s1600/toilet+wall+wm+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPg8wTV3msDUKD6sLNRJ9eHsb8LCm2L8UV4WALZWp2OKxTZdAC3KGuZxVpRrlAcNJhhoEaoSg6J6-Zs4ylInnEdJqmObOSnI2SAqSRKmqXjQ8zV0d6N6ATv3kj8M6LOg5LnDt1wjjJyRrh/s640/toilet+wall+wm+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytUfFtdiA466RCEalA0B_a2kVEr7xxMZmlCVxt2nrmd75DsfFb-hSdTWpjS5-X98Y52ieWT1sbm9fyB3Jgu2QlbUVfkQLGBb2h3bB-4xkPnoOVKflQQz0MVvar62JoYKm5r08CB2yr2GD/s1600/full+view+lights+on.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytUfFtdiA466RCEalA0B_a2kVEr7xxMZmlCVxt2nrmd75DsfFb-hSdTWpjS5-X98Y52ieWT1sbm9fyB3Jgu2QlbUVfkQLGBb2h3bB-4xkPnoOVKflQQz0MVvar62JoYKm5r08CB2yr2GD/s640/full+view+lights+on.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhSO6Tsv2ttCzYdjaz3xPZP_J8jHlwnmTxpt4U1GYoBveh_Jx49aDxsycTmqiPiI6agvb0IMBmtTAxch8XoRGfL4uW9yDVc2_WyC71qogzHHilIy9HteDJyM-K1eTtSBDXmqUaH4Ou_Oo/s1600/bathroom+panorama+wm+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1600" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhSO6Tsv2ttCzYdjaz3xPZP_J8jHlwnmTxpt4U1GYoBveh_Jx49aDxsycTmqiPiI6agvb0IMBmtTAxch8XoRGfL4uW9yDVc2_WyC71qogzHHilIy9HteDJyM-K1eTtSBDXmqUaH4Ou_Oo/s640/bathroom+panorama+wm+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytUfFtdiA466RCEalA0B_a2kVEr7xxMZmlCVxt2nrmd75DsfFb-hSdTWpjS5-X98Y52ieWT1sbm9fyB3Jgu2QlbUVfkQLGBb2h3bB-4xkPnoOVKflQQz0MVvar62JoYKm5r08CB2yr2GD/s1600/full+view+lights+on.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In this room we have put a bigger toilet and a 36" vanity and the room actually feels bigger than it did with the littler pieces we had before in this 7.3 x 6.8 space. What had I been so worried about? That is a lesson for me. The bonus in all this...I got radiant heat and more storage. I'm not one to rush summer along but I know when the days inevitably start turning colder I will have some nice, warm tootsies and a lovely space to relax in. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thanks for spending time with me and for following along on another project. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sources:</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Toilet-<a href="https://www.us.kohler.com/us/wellworth-two-piece-elongated-1.28-gpf-toilet-with-14-rough-in/productDetail/toilets/428329.htm?skuId=410130&brandId=1163739" target="_blank">Kohler</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Vanity-<a href="https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-Sedgewood-36-1-2-in-W-Bath-Vanity-in-Dove-Gray-with-Solid-Surface-Technology-Vanity-Top-in-Arctic-with-White-Sink-PPLNKDVR36D/306307928" target="_blank">Home Depot</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Backsplash-Home Depot <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/p/36-1-2-in-Solid-Surface-Technology-Backsplash-in-Arctic-UBS37Y-ARCY/308002447" target="_blank">back</a> and <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/p/17-7-8-in-Solid-Surface-Technology-Sidesplash-in-Arctic-USS19Y-ARCY/308002444" target="_blank">side</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Faucet-<a href="https://www.homedepot.com/p/KOHLER-Rubicon-8-in-Widespread-2-Handle-Bathroom-Faucet-in-Matte-Black-Valve-Included-K-R76216-4D-BL/311871506" target="_blank">Home Depot</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lights-<a href="https://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/millennium-lighting-421-mb-g-norwalk-matte-black-and-gold-one-light-mini-pendant-with-clear-g-2056783.htm" target="_blank">Bellacor</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mirror-<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YBN27V4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Towel bar-<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MTZMRN2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Toilet paper holder-<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082CYNY6G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Apothecary jars-<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083W2P14W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Shower curtain-<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073PWFZXV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Drawer Pulls- <a href="https://amazon.com/gp/product/B078PJZ81Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Shower curtain hooks, large picture frame-Walmart</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Towels and washcloths-Home Goods</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Hand towels- Target,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I will be linking up to these host's parties: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://grammysgrid.com/unlimited-monthly-link-party-14/" target="_blank">Grammy's Grid</a>,<a href="https://www.angiethefreckledrose.com/dishing-it-digging-it-259/" target="_blank"> </a> <a href="https://www.create-with-joy.com/2020/07/inspire-me-monday-week-442.html" target="_blank">Create With Joy</a>, <a href="https://www.findingsilverpennies.com/silver-pennies-sundays-link-party-366/" target="_blank">Finding Silver Pennies</a>, <a href="https://lovemylittlecottage.com/little-cottage-link-party-58/" target="_blank">Love My Little Cottage</a>, <a href="https://www.farmhouse40.com/inspire-me-monday-283/" target="_blank">Farmhouse 40</a>, <a href="https://apriljharris.com/a-season-to-remember-at-the-hearth-and-soul-link-party/" target="_blank">April J Harris</a>, <a href="http://www.stonecottageadventures.com/2020/07/youre-star-blog-hop-july-week-1.html" target="_blank">Stone Cottage Adventures</a>, <a href="https://www.loulougirls.com/2020/07/lou-lou-girls-fabulous-party-327.html" target="_blank">Lou Lou Girls</a>, <a href="https://www.thededicatedhouse.com/make-it-pretty-monday-week-345/" target="_blank">The Dedicated House</a>, <a href="https://www.astrollthrulife.net/2020/07/554th-inspire-me-tuesday.html" target="_blank">A Stroll Thru Life</a>, <a href="https://ducksnarow.com/2020/07/happiness-is-homemade-link-party-48.html" target="_blank">Ducks N A Row</a>, <a href="https://www.homestoriesatoz.com/tutorials/tutorials-tips-link-party-435-2.html" target="_blank">Home Stories A To Z</a>, <a href="https://jenerallyinformed.com/2020/07/the-happy-now-blog-link-up-223/" target="_blank">Jenerally Informed</a>, <a href="https://acrosstheblvd.com/beautifully-made-link-party-120-for-home-decor/" target="_blank">Across The Blvd</a>, <a href="https://myweeabode.com/tuesday-turn-about-orc-reveals/" target="_blank">My Wee Abode</a>, <a href="https://ducksnarow.com/2020/07/welcome-to-the-wonderful-wednesday-blog-hop-2.html" target="_blank">Wonder Wednesdays</a>, <a href="https://apronstringsotherthings.com/encouraging-hearts-home-blog-hop-7-9-20/" target="_blank">Apron Strings and Other Things</a>, <a href="https://www.impartinggrace.com/2020/07/grace-at-home-no-386.html" target="_blank">Imparting Grace</a>, <a href="https://www.anartfulmom.com/2020/07/create-refresh-take-care-and-tft-447.html" target="_blank">An Artful Mom</a>,<a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/oh-my-heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-214/" target="_blank"> Oh My Heartsie Girl</a>, <a href="https://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2020/07/funtastic-friday-link-party-288-and.html#more" target="_blank">Two Chicks and A Mom</a>,<a href="https://www.thepinjunkie.com/2020/07/pin-junkie-pin-party-376.html" target="_blank"> The Pin Junkie</a>, <a href="https://thecottagemarket.com/a-morning-cup-of-joe-filled-with-features-and-linky-party-8/" target="_blank">The Cottage Market</a>, <a href="https://www.pamspartyandpracticaltips.com/2020/07/dare-to-share-424.html" target="_blank">Pam's Party and Practical Tips</a>, <a href="https://katherinescorner.com/2020/07/09/picnics-and-tft/" target="_blank">Katherine's Corner</a>, <a href="https://www.shabbyartboutique.com/2020/07/create-bake-grow-gather-party-428.html" target="_blank">Shabby Art Boutique</a>, <a href="https://www.zucchinisisters.com/celebrate-your-story-244/" target="_blank">The Zucchini Sisters</a></span><br />While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-2487206137366793442020-06-12T10:37:00.001-04:002021-09-21T09:27:10.227-04:00Warm Toes and Tones; Radiant Heat and Luxury Vinyl FloorsIf you tuned in last time you know we are working on our only full bath in the house. Sometimes you have to work with what ya got. That is the case regarding the size of our small bathroom. It can have it's bad points but there are good points too. I hate cleaning the bathroom but with such a small space it does take less time and it takes less material to change things up which is helping us watch our expenses as we go forward. That is a huge consideration as we had to sure up joists and replace the sub-flooring. But all that got done and we got to move onto the in-floor heating!<br />
<br />
After some research we decided use to <a href="https://www.mpglobalproducts.com/heated-flooring-systems/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Quite Warmth heating mat products</span></a>. Part of our decision was the easy to follow and thorough videos that gave a clear picture about installation. I found their products on Amazon and had them sent directly to my house; a plus during quarantine. (I've included links to Amazon under each photo.) If you are going to put in in-floor heating you will need underlayment, a heating mat, and a thermostat. Another reason we chose this product is because it is designed to use under luxury vinyl plank flooring which is what we are installing in the bathroom.<br />
<br />
The first step is to measure how much matting you will need and order accordingly. There are guidelines concerning where the mat should be. It is not to sit under cabinetry. It is not to be installed too close to the toilet as the heat could effect the wax ring, melting it and causing your toilet to fail. (Bad!) I told you our bathroom was small. The actual size is 6'8" x 7'3". That includes the tub area. Total floor space is less than 35 square feet. With all the considerations we figured that we needed a mat that is only 3 feet by 3 feet.<br />
<br />
Step 1) Clean the floor. Any debris will become a permanent reminder of your failure to prepare.<br />
<br />
Step 2) Install the underlayment. This is literally a matter of rolling it out and if needed, taping seams. the product has a built in system to tape seams. How easy is that?<br />
<br />
<img height="616" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/716kclDTRUL._AC_SL1000_.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://amazon.com/gp/product/B00A52RTBG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Source</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUxG4p45l6W6qesFKKtYVunN1OybdL0DU4zInx7yU8unJNDNb-eZQDpm0qdUx7KMCqsFYj2sdZuJrRxZOv-p7vsXTvrXOaYCyFs10bKo41qmdU2pD7mlJ_KJm5WT0wXrx8q5oUaTULT-p/s1600/IMG_1851.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUxG4p45l6W6qesFKKtYVunN1OybdL0DU4zInx7yU8unJNDNb-eZQDpm0qdUx7KMCqsFYj2sdZuJrRxZOv-p7vsXTvrXOaYCyFs10bKo41qmdU2pD7mlJ_KJm5WT0wXrx8q5oUaTULT-p/s640/IMG_1851.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Step 3) Installing the mat. The mat we ordered is 3 feet wide and we cut the excess off, per the instructions, and installed. I'll not bore you with the details as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtsTeItVUd4" target="_blank">the video is an excellent source</a>. We're not having to do anymore than one run of the mat due the size of our space.<br />
<br />
<img height="547" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71AA7wUGsGL._AC_SL1000_.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://amazon.com/gp/product/B00NOOWRG4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Source</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Step 4) Tape down the leads to the mat that will be attached to the thermostat. This will require you to cut small channels in the underlayment. (Refer back to video.) And tape everything down so it doesn't wiggle out of place. Anytime you get to use duct tape is a WIN for Mister! (I think it's a guy thing.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aVImd7wMge-qHzGxBNYUGNHq4y2gK6cRbjixpCEpidreXxArCXv9wsOu16GeA4RSP4HJoPmecn5-B_5F2RzFsjNVs8Mms2G0Fglhv6dnxgGYT5riP7wmL8-EdpMY2VESiXQ5S7RwiyGs/s1600/IMG_1855.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aVImd7wMge-qHzGxBNYUGNHq4y2gK6cRbjixpCEpidreXxArCXv9wsOu16GeA4RSP4HJoPmecn5-B_5F2RzFsjNVs8Mms2G0Fglhv6dnxgGYT5riP7wmL8-EdpMY2VESiXQ5S7RwiyGs/s640/IMG_1855.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<img alt="QuietWarmth Programmable Push-Button Thermostat (Universal)" src="https://smhttp-ssl-45226.nexcesscdn.net/pub/media/catalog/product/cache/98dd16bdbef430ffa6ec84b3b399ec35/h/t/5be878c7a8857.jpg" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://amazon.com/gp/product/B0009XCJGG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Source</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Step 4) Thermostat. Mister connected the wires to the new, totally programmable, thermostat that we installed on the wall where the waste chase is. This thing is amazing! It allows us to program the heating according to time intervals. For instance, we can set it to heat up to a nice and toasty temperature for when Mister gets up in the wee hours of the morning to get ready for work and then drop down until I take my shower a few hours later then back down again until the evening for other members who shower before bed. It's programmable for every day of the week so if your weekend schedules are different-no problem.<br />
<br />
Once we were sure that was installed and working correctly we started the installation of the flooring. Again, a little research led us to a product available at Home Depot.<br />
<br />
<img height="640" src="https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/150df901-5bef-4ac8-9c6c-4e661e1286ce/svn/harrington-acacia-lifeproof-vinyl-plank-flooring-360720-64_1000.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/p/LifeProof-Harrington-Acacia-7-5-in-x-48-in-Rigid-Core-Luxury-Vinyl-Plank-Flooring-17-55-sq-ft-carton-360720/308240084" target="_blank">(Source)</a></span><br />
<br />
The flooring is called Lifeproof. It is waterproof and scratch resistant. Again, a video or two helped us to see the installation process. This stuff is waaaay easier than tile and real wood flooring and looks great. The flooring I chose is a wood look product. It is textured to resemble wood. You simply score the flooring and snap at the score to cut it. (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OInPp-8CSAY" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">This video shows how to cut the product.</span></a>) Mister did have to use the table saw for a piece or two to rip them down on the width to fit our space.<br />
<br />
<b>A word on the installation.</b> Pay attention to the placement. You don't want to easily see repeat patterns. If a piece has a "knot" make sure that the next time you see that same knot it is not in line with the last one and not too close to the last one. Also, <i><b>stagger the seams</b></i>. You don't want to see a line of seams. Some may chose to do a brick-like pattern and while this looks great with bricks a wood floor is usually not the place to have an "H" pattern.<br />
<br />
Our project took 2 1/2 boxes of product. We had purchased 4 to be sure we had enough and to take into consideration any damaged product. That is a reality and you want to be prepared and not have to stop everything to run back to the store hoping they have more. There were 3 pieces that were damaged but we were able to cut those pieces and used them for ends. I have a plan for a little bit of the leftovers, too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe_MxYsPzVsbkvSw4We6DWzBHaFCZjj2pqLDDP42curN5x_bfUMjcOVsvaF4dR_KQC85gjN9OQ3r9VgFXdJPs33FQo5qzInOoiJGH1tkXszGrLWzELDEbYY4hp5Rzvg6Rl0RBx_tETUau/s1600/IMG_1856.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe_MxYsPzVsbkvSw4We6DWzBHaFCZjj2pqLDDP42curN5x_bfUMjcOVsvaF4dR_KQC85gjN9OQ3r9VgFXdJPs33FQo5qzInOoiJGH1tkXszGrLWzELDEbYY4hp5Rzvg6Rl0RBx_tETUau/s640/IMG_1856.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
And, voila. Flooring! I am over the moon with the colors and the feel, and the heat! The warm tones mixed nicely with a little of the cool grays but the warm toes are the real treat. The edges will be covered with baseboard and colored caulking.<br />
<br />
Okay, now some of the practical but pretty things start happening! And, true to fashion I made a drawing to keep myself focused. Stayed tuned to see how close I can come to this!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMH2uiMbvxcuUvmKRzeDuV7N1wEnogkKCE46SKSAacAWzYmBtXmw6_9J1i9hM0psjThnfsyR1FQh2_XE2wN40ECixJ_Z_NnMfAhGx5c7Jp0arWoIIYbwGExqPY9isETM2y_SdYGE7waQt/s1600/bathroom+elevation+wm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1442" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMH2uiMbvxcuUvmKRzeDuV7N1wEnogkKCE46SKSAacAWzYmBtXmw6_9J1i9hM0psjThnfsyR1FQh2_XE2wN40ECixJ_Z_NnMfAhGx5c7Jp0arWoIIYbwGExqPY9isETM2y_SdYGE7waQt/s640/bathroom+elevation+wm.jpg" width="576" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Linking to these parties: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.thededicatedhouse.com/make-it-pretty-monday-week-342/" target="_blank">The Dedicated House</a></div>
<br />While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-32244528398824914472020-06-03T06:57:00.000-04:002020-06-12T08:04:26.977-04:00Heating Things UpDisclaimer: This is not a post about warmer weather.<br />
<br />
Our house is officially 200 years old this year! In houses this old there were no grand master bathrooms in the floor plan. They weren't built with beautiful walk-in showers. Instead, there are slanted roofs and tight floor plans, weird bump outs that hide vent stacks and waste lines, wonky wiring and water lines that were retro fitted to bring bathrooms indoors at some point. And they are probably all in desperate need of upgrading... unless you're lucky and the people that owned it before you bought it did all that for you. Well, we are <b><i>those</i></b> people.<br />
<br />
In 2005 we tackled the only full bath in the house with a<b><i> very</i></b> limited budget. I found some tile I loved (and still do) and Mister put it down on the floor and put a row of accent tile in the shower for me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyY-azLMO3gAishPr6w1SZ7PAQFoGrgriQG-za5QDXur0iQmajy5_xmaiRSlCaA22c2PqqETNtM8iyYqvUdkx31Cuj15ROc88e5a80wOQBMBNhNQEdKDz5w_4cVr2TCyuNkEGzyhwGYdP/s1600/IMG_1734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyY-azLMO3gAishPr6w1SZ7PAQFoGrgriQG-za5QDXur0iQmajy5_xmaiRSlCaA22c2PqqETNtM8iyYqvUdkx31Cuj15ROc88e5a80wOQBMBNhNQEdKDz5w_4cVr2TCyuNkEGzyhwGYdP/s640/IMG_1734.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgtejNQFwi91ZyjEe2-TK9YIJX5-BO4ptkzG_oVJceGdySrn9shlepGQQoXv3zAm4QldsMkQfOSzXZ-aOV2NzAf_QNwGWkzqtGhjElKVMMbQBCGCTKnh3s6sVqeotY91o4qEW3FgdPiC-/s1600/IMG_1735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgtejNQFwi91ZyjEe2-TK9YIJX5-BO4ptkzG_oVJceGdySrn9shlepGQQoXv3zAm4QldsMkQfOSzXZ-aOV2NzAf_QNwGWkzqtGhjElKVMMbQBCGCTKnh3s6sVqeotY91o4qEW3FgdPiC-/s640/IMG_1735.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogPU5UFy2iaSPxD_8kMrE1Jut-F63WiVaEbLHlDbb0ZJqbmXYBvspRDnx4Yh3_N_N_vFykKBZuBJEnMo-c6vXmuGKhDwTdtTRKT7YbI5PPYB4sH8eqtM5uccHm228gAt-NLP9evlC-QQv/s1600/IMG_1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogPU5UFy2iaSPxD_8kMrE1Jut-F63WiVaEbLHlDbb0ZJqbmXYBvspRDnx4Yh3_N_N_vFykKBZuBJEnMo-c6vXmuGKhDwTdtTRKT7YbI5PPYB4sH8eqtM5uccHm228gAt-NLP9evlC-QQv/s640/IMG_1743.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
There is a radiator in the room that takes up precious floor space- 12"x 22".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5pJKABFU8OysIGpMOSfFN4zbqIY2-DW9SumrMsOq7FHJMM-gT2RLHKktOPxJzBfxsbMlPgnGpRf3-67bWeanvqimgEkkZNvMP2WqCmEgVYNNp5OCsUuHYkGy3CaJm9qEQ-j8l5R8LAOb/s1600/IMG_1738+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5pJKABFU8OysIGpMOSfFN4zbqIY2-DW9SumrMsOq7FHJMM-gT2RLHKktOPxJzBfxsbMlPgnGpRf3-67bWeanvqimgEkkZNvMP2WqCmEgVYNNp5OCsUuHYkGy3CaJm9qEQ-j8l5R8LAOb/s640/IMG_1738+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Originally, a door swung into the room hitting the shower wall. Mister made a pocket door for me using the existing door.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwdr_K4f3vlvPBT3NU2ed_Sbz76ZTuAaNGPctCI9uioinwtTZKUJoFzwAFU7sQlGVvZ4BJIFqd7_7Kk5s1HnOTInHkEPPPH1gXla0w2aKcgtjc7Xs6ZFxzys0hnj6mzH0AUo7zhJS2RDP/s1600/IMG_1737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwdr_K4f3vlvPBT3NU2ed_Sbz76ZTuAaNGPctCI9uioinwtTZKUJoFzwAFU7sQlGVvZ4BJIFqd7_7Kk5s1HnOTInHkEPPPH1gXla0w2aKcgtjc7Xs6ZFxzys0hnj6mzH0AUo7zhJS2RDP/s640/IMG_1737.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Mister also had built and installed some shelves on the wall to make up for the lack of storage but they always look messy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD-R86gDp4byhwhXDhs7i6fDlvbyDWGwN2Md_RcvdWPYKfdjXmT-s9QVPqjze8Ze6BeH95XGIK4pgKiJzsI_iSvihjxL5cvrVG_kE4ZNvQrYKhOaR7SMrvKW1q6QXQf-t1w9pIV8-2hsZ/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD-R86gDp4byhwhXDhs7i6fDlvbyDWGwN2Md_RcvdWPYKfdjXmT-s9QVPqjze8Ze6BeH95XGIK4pgKiJzsI_iSvihjxL5cvrVG_kE4ZNvQrYKhOaR7SMrvKW1q6QXQf-t1w9pIV8-2hsZ/s640/IMG_1736.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1q_iG7AXsav2d8nzVs86Qk_c5yGIt8nYKBlp9BZcfC7v3Qi6iGMJFHAwowJ8r0AkqFlV490hmDLRLu3UKcsDCQ192mHVil__xJFamKcm11SKQXr4re8dYTUow2oeofOgQEfofOnEFYeOE/s1600/IMG_1730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1q_iG7AXsav2d8nzVs86Qk_c5yGIt8nYKBlp9BZcfC7v3Qi6iGMJFHAwowJ8r0AkqFlV490hmDLRLu3UKcsDCQ192mHVil__xJFamKcm11SKQXr4re8dYTUow2oeofOgQEfofOnEFYeOE/s640/IMG_1730.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuJu1tgXhDSWvePyVxnJKchlx8kDVRGohBXddYYmQY3v80LAj9DlRX67O7dC1lgBORMgpqzKDqg0Giyfp0QDeD90L9z3GJj-ijebN0-xD8kejtSlfMMg8Y5akPNlDMgOsGKQjN88EPowQ/s1600/IMG_1732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuJu1tgXhDSWvePyVxnJKchlx8kDVRGohBXddYYmQY3v80LAj9DlRX67O7dC1lgBORMgpqzKDqg0Giyfp0QDeD90L9z3GJj-ijebN0-xD8kejtSlfMMg8Y5akPNlDMgOsGKQjN88EPowQ/s640/IMG_1732.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PrZu7Shb4dPmCmtD0O9mPnfIRgfyZTLU1VmzHl6UxbF7GoUd_7sdlYsBWI1xGnVRl6Ff6rjjFkkmiVNK-ooUdP7jm_gcpSO_rFUZGhvWdfFWZa7iipqZSNf38DUvD7AL2DbnbVpjUcy3/s1600/IMG_1731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PrZu7Shb4dPmCmtD0O9mPnfIRgfyZTLU1VmzHl6UxbF7GoUd_7sdlYsBWI1xGnVRl6Ff6rjjFkkmiVNK-ooUdP7jm_gcpSO_rFUZGhvWdfFWZa7iipqZSNf38DUvD7AL2DbnbVpjUcy3/s640/IMG_1731.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yes, that is a window that is 1/2 in the shower and 1/2 out! Who does that? </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfATYzK6UKWxCueMxQdH4xlYDCboKgTUYmFWBAOdma7X1uI3Vn3c7AzF7Yc-i1S-s_njdBBq7NFkF2Q5a_snNK-GeL9t-TXYLoe3cj4wQzDLeTbHGrp_wxIYC0m3QgBp43f7Rcqdc6I4ez/s1600/IMG_1741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfATYzK6UKWxCueMxQdH4xlYDCboKgTUYmFWBAOdma7X1uI3Vn3c7AzF7Yc-i1S-s_njdBBq7NFkF2Q5a_snNK-GeL9t-TXYLoe3cj4wQzDLeTbHGrp_wxIYC0m3QgBp43f7Rcqdc6I4ez/s640/IMG_1741.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And for the past 15 years it has sufficed.<br />
<br />
Much more time at home lately has had us thinking about all the things we could be doing. I have wanted to put radiant heat in that bathroom for a l-o-o-ong time. There are 3 reasons for this: 1) that 12 inches I mentioned before and 2) a real vanity with storage vs. the pedestal sink would be so nice and 3)the radiator was the last one in the house to ever heat up-making it basically useless. Don't get me wrong, I loved that pedestal sink when we put it in years ago and I still do but I need storage!<br />
<br />
Mister's initial and usual reaction to any of my ideas is "it won't work, we can't do that". Hmm. So, I let it sit for a little. But, true to form, it came up again. Now he has had a little time to get used to the idea and what that means as far as learning something new. We've never installed radiant heating so some internet research and some videos helped to explain how it all works. Mister said "I need to make a small hole in the floor to see what we are dealing with. The old radiator will have to be removed and the line will have to be capped." Me, I am okay with that. (I think it's because it's not me doing the dirty work.)<br />
<br />
Off he went. 5 minutes later he came back with a hammer, jigsaw, and a flat bar. I knew it was about to get real. There is no such thing as a small hole with this guy. Upstairs he went. I stayed downstairs trying to occupy my mind with the pretty things that will fill the space after all the ugly happens. But for now, ugly is my new reality. 15 minutes later Mister informed me that he never said "little hole".😳😲<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUiODN0UOtxNLGTJkZ9qYX84VolORUiJaVOi6vkO7jdzL2X8UjRjw37IYc4ni_U-ucrhq7Fwnw2PNDJetJ2ObnyVsZwlESLBdA19h4Skiwshz_TNyv47z8Lml0KSgPp6fwyeeb6yyQPAH/s1600/IMG_1805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUiODN0UOtxNLGTJkZ9qYX84VolORUiJaVOi6vkO7jdzL2X8UjRjw37IYc4ni_U-ucrhq7Fwnw2PNDJetJ2ObnyVsZwlESLBdA19h4Skiwshz_TNyv47z8Lml0KSgPp6fwyeeb6yyQPAH/s640/IMG_1805.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVNRxUWwtayx8hQuXjuHzCmmc4HudLBXtMduq2BTf9BOY4OXfPndDdqYiYKTv9FewPD49U6JfM6uKIKJVQcqRnWJjT2aBLzmu32yKFtgJ7QcIDdjwzgbR2gkDIl_-YB8V5EiuArzIqiG4/s1600/IMG_1807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVNRxUWwtayx8hQuXjuHzCmmc4HudLBXtMduq2BTf9BOY4OXfPndDdqYiYKTv9FewPD49U6JfM6uKIKJVQcqRnWJjT2aBLzmu32yKFtgJ7QcIDdjwzgbR2gkDIl_-YB8V5EiuArzIqiG4/s640/IMG_1807.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2H47hQRmMEwTetwh1fdc_o_ROVt_UGfo-0Ir23t-LAnm1hoDCkfddktiI7iPfm7n-2lP3Hp0FQCNoBSLj38JQepZ000gjcpNg0NBn3rDKiAFhAZixrHFbfTqvasyUAmtaJ0XCe-Bqpfo/s1600/IMG_1810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2H47hQRmMEwTetwh1fdc_o_ROVt_UGfo-0Ir23t-LAnm1hoDCkfddktiI7iPfm7n-2lP3Hp0FQCNoBSLj38JQepZ000gjcpNg0NBn3rDKiAFhAZixrHFbfTqvasyUAmtaJ0XCe-Bqpfo/s640/IMG_1810.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(The toilet waste pipe. If you're to attempt this, block that bad boy off! The gases are noxious.)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_erMpWTrSrSlRukg_gzWfg6SJkmHNk_glNy_9sSG71pp-xXueu1Cs68uQrFXy78d8-dRQkjRWqcFjkJZVMilfK5-yI8DPmwsw44UfY_iAcHDagh1o-BAsTv0XIUTI5GkyIH77C6LvBDu/s1600/IMG_1815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_erMpWTrSrSlRukg_gzWfg6SJkmHNk_glNy_9sSG71pp-xXueu1Cs68uQrFXy78d8-dRQkjRWqcFjkJZVMilfK5-yI8DPmwsw44UfY_iAcHDagh1o-BAsTv0XIUTI5GkyIH77C6LvBDu/s640/IMG_1815.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
3 layers of flooring removed revealed joists that had been cut up to put in supply lines. All those had to be sistered up. That means putting uncut wood next to the original piece and screwing it in to restore integrity.<br />
<br />
Long story short, it took a larger "hole" to figure out how all this old house was rigged but since it is our only full bath in the house we're trying to have product on site to make it still usable during all this. In the present state of our country that may prove more challenging than usual.<br />
<br />
We were able to pull the radiator and supply pipe, clean up the joists, level out the floor better and put down new plywood as the underlayment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-h9zCnLQ_k3l1apL49EmG5bmfH5NKjR2LXa9mfJ11EnvOVlGOb4Q1UBMDOynpdMMOhbxHmn9EaMiHOQR7FXOBHt36-QYPd2gf6PRJtBPkCpqp0QO4l7aWuBxhjjgrjpSpPk6YucwZGSG/s1600/IMG_1823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-h9zCnLQ_k3l1apL49EmG5bmfH5NKjR2LXa9mfJ11EnvOVlGOb4Q1UBMDOynpdMMOhbxHmn9EaMiHOQR7FXOBHt36-QYPd2gf6PRJtBPkCpqp0QO4l7aWuBxhjjgrjpSpPk6YucwZGSG/s640/IMG_1823.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxhNhyphenhyphenRWsyzM_MtN3x2p_5XIV8690Q4pda6i2Nx6ZxSMD0JR7-i9FjN8y8L0reI7scq5NinFPmEH6Ow_lneG37LXTv7wZsVLYw2eYwJArJqAyOkEaYNRMMEfnG1DtzAW75Kp-Bxwq1kGO/s1600/IMG_1824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxhNhyphenhyphenRWsyzM_MtN3x2p_5XIV8690Q4pda6i2Nx6ZxSMD0JR7-i9FjN8y8L0reI7scq5NinFPmEH6Ow_lneG37LXTv7wZsVLYw2eYwJArJqAyOkEaYNRMMEfnG1DtzAW75Kp-Bxwq1kGO/s640/IMG_1824.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Much better! </div>
<br />
My lesson in this has been that sometimes when Mister says it can't be done it means that he isn't confident that he can do it. That is where my inner high-school cheerleader needs to come out to encourage him. Worst case scenario... well, who knows but right now I just need to find my pom-poms. This is gonna be great!<br />
<br />
Stay tuned.<br />
<br />
Linking up to these blog parties:<br />
<a href="https://katherinescorner.com/2020/06/04/creating-ambiance-and-tft-party/" target="_blank">Katherine's Corner</a>, <a href="https://www.thepinjunkie.com/2020/06/pin-junkie-pin-party-371.html" target="_blank">The Pin Junkie</a>, <a href="https://www.shabbyartboutique.com/2020/06/create-bake-grow-gather-party-422.html" target="_blank">Shabby Art Boutique</a>, <a href="https://www.dabblinganddecorating.com/single-post/2020/03/31/Charming-Homes-Gardens-Wednesday-Link-Party" target="_blank">Dabbling and Decorating</a>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-82680433119399182842020-05-09T15:03:00.000-04:002020-05-14T19:34:19.034-04:00Another Gallery Wall Tutorial I love gallery walls. They are not just for museums. They've been popular in decorating for a while. and there are as many versions as there are decorating styles. They all appeal to me depending on the applications. I my home I have a wall in my living room that incorporates many different items rather than just photos. <span style="color: blue;">Y</span><a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2017/07/gallery-wall-tutorial.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">ou can find the instructional post on that here</span>.</a> And the shelf allows me to add seasonal changes.<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLP-kS1x1WfYxuvkf6nSCKhmxGGg_JAFFWIrlJJlGJh5KEJsyhdPUOY5RQP6TDnX9Ct2FD8GXfch4umeoZDHra7YYi8bPPpqfYk7YjlOsEpy_rA-0ldZwJLcpxEymHvJ3tAEG64aY07QKQ/s640/fall+wall+decor.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Sometimes, you don't want a lot of things sticking out from the wall. I've used a series of prints to build a much more formal grouping. Below are the same set of prints framed differently but displayed in the same manner.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih96gZBqVmWF7N-lCBc_L8FWdsYpd7oW34Bz_4spTTpoha2Iv1T_2ZZ14bd5M3oTBYx2iStGWScxhFDrNQBL9KBS053PR_mDHB3zONyWlzKo7OT32fNjO-MAv4cHZraoq5vuxLaoOs0EY2/s1600/bathroom+wall+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih96gZBqVmWF7N-lCBc_L8FWdsYpd7oW34Bz_4spTTpoha2Iv1T_2ZZ14bd5M3oTBYx2iStGWScxhFDrNQBL9KBS053PR_mDHB3zONyWlzKo7OT32fNjO-MAv4cHZraoq5vuxLaoOs0EY2/s640/bathroom+wall+art.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTab1wdvfoN6i6B8QrGJnPChf8u4PhhYNXSpPoakODouxwS39YtmBcw7Lnh1bWUKtpVi_6STlNZFZ2x4eYOiYq3plsQqjOHJrLlbrA7YfmFEwW6SSTEa5suLaqxbmLPQxCb-wOosfB-a7/s1600/fruits+of+the+spirit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTab1wdvfoN6i6B8QrGJnPChf8u4PhhYNXSpPoakODouxwS39YtmBcw7Lnh1bWUKtpVi_6STlNZFZ2x4eYOiYq3plsQqjOHJrLlbrA7YfmFEwW6SSTEa5suLaqxbmLPQxCb-wOosfB-a7/s400/fruits+of+the+spirit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Print <a href="https://gracelaced.com/" target="_blank">Source</a>)</div>
<br />
In a series of posts from late 2018 til mid 2019 I documented a makeover of a friend's house. In my friend's family room there is a large stairway taking up one side of the room. The ceilings soar in beautiful room and opposite the stairway is a large Palladian window. The window accentuated the vast nakedness of the opposing wall and we wanted to do something about that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxri8ABrAwLmEZ9tHHMDWqEvJHSQEsU8bDF5IfKuR8nxVZJZDnuXxQXkUtFMqrs9Vro_VoCmsMsVRHpNYQ60smjhhKm7_W7RPq6EuJt6_YeePyC_xOACFKjtwwOGLxwha6SggFLqS-ZV0W/s1600/family+room+wm+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxri8ABrAwLmEZ9tHHMDWqEvJHSQEsU8bDF5IfKuR8nxVZJZDnuXxQXkUtFMqrs9Vro_VoCmsMsVRHpNYQ60smjhhKm7_W7RPq6EuJt6_YeePyC_xOACFKjtwwOGLxwha6SggFLqS-ZV0W/s640/family+room+wm+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYKMLdW3cjL0c75nMgc8XdkriAlkCd8tnJo9cp0aIxn0QdZYx0V8acMF7O7FX6kHMWqkf1jne8BK44Mmbj-zx1UUDuJ_qk_1P3ERT1XXe3BcLs7bopjx793eqPiZPvu5C1UpKn2y4POvR/s1600/family+room+wm+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYKMLdW3cjL0c75nMgc8XdkriAlkCd8tnJo9cp0aIxn0QdZYx0V8acMF7O7FX6kHMWqkf1jne8BK44Mmbj-zx1UUDuJ_qk_1P3ERT1XXe3BcLs7bopjx793eqPiZPvu5C1UpKn2y4POvR/s640/family+room+wm+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I wanted this to be a less formal grouping as it is a part of the family room. Some grid paper and a pencil helped to form an idea of what I was trying to achieve.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaujW-S0jaIsad3DhcCTdO05Krq5-pBuFNlMczFBaoqynzgw4gx9atNVaxT87wwB_NzpUdOozaa5GwTjqrs3WXeqnv11kjvAbbF5n1nWP80K_3LYDAFC4wLOzLwkaoalkh7dGY2csAPGwN/s1600/gallery+wall+plans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaujW-S0jaIsad3DhcCTdO05Krq5-pBuFNlMczFBaoqynzgw4gx9atNVaxT87wwB_NzpUdOozaa5GwTjqrs3WXeqnv11kjvAbbF5n1nWP80K_3LYDAFC4wLOzLwkaoalkh7dGY2csAPGwN/s640/gallery+wall+plans.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
We purchased three photo ledges (don't pay a lot) to anchor the space. I stair-stepped the ledges to mimic the stairs. Measure the space you want to fill and divide that number in half. (I use chalk to mark the walls, easy to clean off.)<br />
<br />
To mount my ledges I found the center point of where I wanted to collection to hang. I measured the center of my middle ledge and marked it with chalk on the ledge. Line it up with your mark on the wall, check for level and screw into place. Next measure from that center mark to edge of your space and divide by 2 again. That will be the center point for the next ledge. I did that on both sides. My ledges were 48" long and that allowed them to overlap a bit. This is subjective and really up to you. Because it is a staircase wall I wanted to be able to see the photos from the floor so I made sure to hang them high enough to be seen over the railing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQgrd1kdWsCTJkQUV6rKdzEm7SjtoF4Y0vKLBxTXrxe96XbVT_ejyZga0h2DtDOtMmSc0zVBjVq_9y4yF3fy_YQ3Q3XXezNQQvjncxRXOyf4w6C-q0OXTaSrmplCm20Wq5sxt7sz7guo1/s1600/gallery+wall+shelves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQgrd1kdWsCTJkQUV6rKdzEm7SjtoF4Y0vKLBxTXrxe96XbVT_ejyZga0h2DtDOtMmSc0zVBjVq_9y4yF3fy_YQ3Q3XXezNQQvjncxRXOyf4w6C-q0OXTaSrmplCm20Wq5sxt7sz7guo1/s640/gallery+wall+shelves.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Next, I had my friend gather all her photos, most were already framed. We decided to use colored photos vs. black and white because 1) this family has some beautiful red-haired members and 2) the cost to reproduce all the photos in black and white would have made the project expensive.<br />
<br />
Now I could start hanging photos. There were a couple of larger photos that I wanted to use as anchors and because of that I worked those onto the wall first. From there it was a matter of sitting some on the ledge, hanging others both above and below the ledges. Finding the right sized frames was trial and error.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrizFdo-h_xEmF8NEHjiKztVVGZdZszsYaKOdO9tRB_9aY-BXlUejnk2pRbzqRicPin1HtWtaapmpVXm392BmjRd2hEmassckBnN_rajNiZqAQlDe6BF-LenbAgm3-riT6fvnEj2FQpKsM/s1600/gallery+wall+in+the+making.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrizFdo-h_xEmF8NEHjiKztVVGZdZszsYaKOdO9tRB_9aY-BXlUejnk2pRbzqRicPin1HtWtaapmpVXm392BmjRd2hEmassckBnN_rajNiZqAQlDe6BF-LenbAgm3-riT6fvnEj2FQpKsM/s640/gallery+wall+in+the+making.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first attempt still looked too stuffy to me and there were sooo.... many great photos. Just keep adding until you get the look you're after. Don't be afraid to move a photo if it doesn't fit right. Notice where the military photo, top right? It won't stay there. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyes_k31oQ6N1AxFyh_qoEYqAK-523IUpTal-tY6nkld51gN9QwEUS5J-XggB4sgZdfzwucEhrND7KX2wpY-rj6f8BLAUc09E5TUja-A_JvZJ-5-SDKXUhtexjdQXIMga4VTWwizGN84FA/s1600/gallery+wall+in+the+making+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyes_k31oQ6N1AxFyh_qoEYqAK-523IUpTal-tY6nkld51gN9QwEUS5J-XggB4sgZdfzwucEhrND7KX2wpY-rj6f8BLAUc09E5TUja-A_JvZJ-5-SDKXUhtexjdQXIMga4VTWwizGN84FA/s640/gallery+wall+in+the+making+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Once I got the photos and placement figured out I took down the frames that were different colors. I wanted one, cohesive color. Now, you can buy matching frames like in the previous photos but this is a big project and it would take a lot of money to do that. My solution was to set up my spray tent and spray paint all the frames that were different colors. Black allows the eye/mind a place to rest and allows the photos to tell the story. I like the idea of different finishes of the frames that were already black so I left them alone.<br />
<br />
After I was happy with the placements I went back in with some poster tack and put a little behind the frames to keep them from shifting. This is a stairway and it will get much traffic. Trying to keep photos righted would be a full time job. This is what I use:<br />
<br />
<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/519h8vQF-wL._AC_.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I found a large gold B, the families surname initial. I painted it black.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1lV6ZEcnRYSUWSv8EihZ4QJgRrX-jD0W8FEsgkyeidpnlm_hPzRsc1-UUIr-2mbbuu8IO3HT-LOm8uhnMo8-kTOjZJTazw3s3MppWvvQi1HHascLoTkw2twToB6zY0etd4zQH0XhM4kz/s1600/DSC00753+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="537" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1lV6ZEcnRYSUWSv8EihZ4QJgRrX-jD0W8FEsgkyeidpnlm_hPzRsc1-UUIr-2mbbuu8IO3HT-LOm8uhnMo8-kTOjZJTazw3s3MppWvvQi1HHascLoTkw2twToB6zY0etd4zQH0XhM4kz/s320/DSC00753+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My friend found some words online that she wanted to incorporate into the mix. You can find similar metal cutouts from Hobby Lobby for a few dollars each. If you don't want to spend money on that consider something like this from another friend's house a few years ago:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDSYBBLFPapYBUmrzdGa0MpVcsQH49PTzxhpqsGThu2NO4O2Y-2Hw8zGbQdhAubr8n0KV5_sLTBqZdZTF-COu6o4aA2sbp9tusSBpEZxPRJS5Q0PiaRSO8O8ntM7hIpZewRMNZFhp1VfN/s1600/IMG_3601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDSYBBLFPapYBUmrzdGa0MpVcsQH49PTzxhpqsGThu2NO4O2Y-2Hw8zGbQdhAubr8n0KV5_sLTBqZdZTF-COu6o4aA2sbp9tusSBpEZxPRJS5Q0PiaRSO8O8ntM7hIpZewRMNZFhp1VfN/s640/IMG_3601.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I used a piece of fabric and a Sharpie and framed it. Easy right? Handwriting isn't pretty? Print it out on the computer and put it under your fabric and copy or just frame the copy.<br />
<br />
Paint was dry, photos were reinstalled and all that was left was to take final photos.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAOXMA_AAt-a91KiN15r_gqRWiQOkGTgJhN_I3F5Oj2ie-NNHPldqNsAJuJPjVnlROp3AToqw0cWsCbK6t1e4MAvMxU8_elZwLc3ET-yynZLcciMXYes_4EpE3j0pC1wnO7XQEG4EsxeS/s1600/love+gallery+wall+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAOXMA_AAt-a91KiN15r_gqRWiQOkGTgJhN_I3F5Oj2ie-NNHPldqNsAJuJPjVnlROp3AToqw0cWsCbK6t1e4MAvMxU8_elZwLc3ET-yynZLcciMXYes_4EpE3j0pC1wnO7XQEG4EsxeS/s640/love+gallery+wall+.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-T8eki6bd1uy6kd2h9LJlb3x3b3-k8JIuw6LiVmHLrWt2fA9G_UYt1qks2Ie8QrBRYLfHFqS7fZDL73QEQ-s-kFrGtf2guNkobWqqCWPeLpV_xu8_M0kqOtKptFldOYDtLi0hyphenhypheno41zFUt/s1600/faith+gallery+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-T8eki6bd1uy6kd2h9LJlb3x3b3-k8JIuw6LiVmHLrWt2fA9G_UYt1qks2Ie8QrBRYLfHFqS7fZDL73QEQ-s-kFrGtf2guNkobWqqCWPeLpV_xu8_M0kqOtKptFldOYDtLi0hyphenhypheno41zFUt/s640/faith+gallery+wall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDiKtsJ_GMf0BrtKxCSJ0XqCJR-gzDqnIN9CRv9lLBxWRgmCCGr5MjNahO84KpFpzxd8QcEzaDJU-_ZYICsWMUZPZf5YYvKyaPjg0C_C1ey13F4ZgFHDyvfbUgcnSitYjGzLqfg6zFFh6/s1600/hope+gallery+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDiKtsJ_GMf0BrtKxCSJ0XqCJR-gzDqnIN9CRv9lLBxWRgmCCGr5MjNahO84KpFpzxd8QcEzaDJU-_ZYICsWMUZPZf5YYvKyaPjg0C_C1ey13F4ZgFHDyvfbUgcnSitYjGzLqfg6zFFh6/s640/hope+gallery+wall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Again, my drawing...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_NKe6DUOkOPZTtwOObndEn2GZRfIHxQWFnD86dQVrBi5TDx0mdwbV7CWtQL96wRDtqco84tCa6XAvVog99WMmZvVgkTJQLlQYV__MM7eyUYzSj0bsvBeC-HWj_-kK3FyJreZWNWNeeLO/s1600/gallery+wall+plans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_NKe6DUOkOPZTtwOObndEn2GZRfIHxQWFnD86dQVrBi5TDx0mdwbV7CWtQL96wRDtqco84tCa6XAvVog99WMmZvVgkTJQLlQYV__MM7eyUYzSj0bsvBeC-HWj_-kK3FyJreZWNWNeeLO/s640/gallery+wall+plans.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And the final...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPmic_CWQ8AL_OEhSbn-6KCpfzUZA_Cs57Mcd1W0WOG0_bLQ81wrBW-eBrcluU_gIuHoam9qrE1sAvyzjLzDBt_PjbYViTqImOvUOEnClbH7F8R-5i2pya-41wFh-Frk8b4rzcP4Ygpfn/s1600/gallery+wall+wm+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPmic_CWQ8AL_OEhSbn-6KCpfzUZA_Cs57Mcd1W0WOG0_bLQ81wrBW-eBrcluU_gIuHoam9qrE1sAvyzjLzDBt_PjbYViTqImOvUOEnClbH7F8R-5i2pya-41wFh-Frk8b4rzcP4Ygpfn/s640/gallery+wall+wm+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You could incorporate your children's artwork or family keepsakes like marriage licenses or diplomas. This project's will cost you less than $100 depending on where you get your picture ledges and how long they are. That price includes ledges, picture hangers, poster tack and spray paint. Additional costs would be the metal word signs.</div>
<br />
So, what do you think? Is there a wall in your house that could use a refresh? Why not try a gallery wall? Happy decorating.<br />
<br />
Party Time:<br />
<a href="https://www.findingsilverpennies.com/silver-pennies-sundays-link-party-358/" target="_blank">Finding Silver Pennies</a>, <a href="http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/2020/05/tuesdays-at-our-home-359-features.html" target="_blank">Our Home Away From Home</a>, <a href="https://www.b4andafters.com/youre-the-star-may-blog-hop/" target="_blank">B4 and Afters</a>, <a href="https://www.thededicatedhouse.com/make-it-pretty-monday-week-338/" target="_blank">The Dedicated House </a>,<a href="https://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/inspire-me-monday-25/" target="_blank"> My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia</a>, <a href="https://www.create-with-joy.com/2020/05/inspire-me-monday-week-434.html" target="_blank">Create With Joy</a>, <a href="https://www.loulougirls.com/2020/05/lou-lou-girls-fabulous-party-319.html" target="_blank">Lou Lou Girls</a>, <a href="https://apriljharris.com/safe-at-home-at-the-hearth-and-soul-link-party/" target="_blank">April J Harris</a>, <a href="https://ducksnarow.com/2020/05/happy-mothers-day-and-welcome-to-our-link-party.html" target="_blank">Ducks N'A Row</a>, <a href="https://katherinescorner.com/2020/05/14/stress-less-and-tft-party/" target="_blank">Katherine's Corner</a>, <a href="https://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2020/05/wow-me-wednesday-454.html" target="_blank">Gingersnap Crafts</a>, <a href="https://lifebeyondthekitchen.com/creatively-crafty-link-party-223/" target="_blank">Life Beyond The Kitchen</a>, <a href="https://www.thepinjunkie.com/2020/05/pin-junkie-pin-party-367.html" target="_blank">The Pin Junkie</a>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-38523011943737632082020-04-29T18:43:00.000-04:002020-05-06T08:50:16.385-04:00Seeing The Light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Mister and I took what is becoming an annual late winter trip to Texas. It is a three-fold trip. We first hit the Austin area to visit old friends from high school-and this time around we made some new friends!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6HN6PuNGLtSfWOsLdKJrw2n7k0VzBJWkS9ab3REVoGu_GGLJoPWZMxWy61prCps9_e7IJXKGR3jM91WpCwkGJHIfNoDtg37SOPzHp22hNPr1u9_QAlZqReFDuOUxppPBicVEcOHlPwc3/s1600/IMG_0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6HN6PuNGLtSfWOsLdKJrw2n7k0VzBJWkS9ab3REVoGu_GGLJoPWZMxWy61prCps9_e7IJXKGR3jM91WpCwkGJHIfNoDtg37SOPzHp22hNPr1u9_QAlZqReFDuOUxppPBicVEcOHlPwc3/s400/IMG_0958.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
High-school friend, Lady, and me in New Braunfels, TX</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
After a couple days we drove north to visit Chip and JoJo's wonderland! We perused Magnolia Market and picked up a healthy amount of cupcakes- like one of every flavor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5ohAHre8R6fy-9_eLGf0qmSyX4f5g3ZReRBu2QBmeREoe0NEB2sJJIOwbyGCeUMfRTXh68Wn2z-qcCht6XYrTiPnXSmXKbiQGDn_J6x3lqGtzoMWD9Rkjd0pmcdTsIELmKHhatZplUIW/s1600/IMG_0940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5ohAHre8R6fy-9_eLGf0qmSyX4f5g3ZReRBu2QBmeREoe0NEB2sJJIOwbyGCeUMfRTXh68Wn2z-qcCht6XYrTiPnXSmXKbiQGDn_J6x3lqGtzoMWD9Rkjd0pmcdTsIELmKHhatZplUIW/s640/IMG_0940.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rJFTOyH1_TI9dpgsu9yfaBnKw_SLsjV5wOOYNbKJc34No8MQl1XPFonE1aUk60jBg8mrB7eMKip5e1LTBBkxbRt3GQq_XME55LSVXkeGxs3dtVd4fXKFUfXmxLvPnrYpClbJ0o9oeVPn/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rJFTOyH1_TI9dpgsu9yfaBnKw_SLsjV5wOOYNbKJc34No8MQl1XPFonE1aUk60jBg8mrB7eMKip5e1LTBBkxbRt3GQq_XME55LSVXkeGxs3dtVd4fXKFUfXmxLvPnrYpClbJ0o9oeVPn/s640/IMG_0943.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Then we headed another three hours north to visit with my dad and brother.<br />
<br />
When we left for the trip this year we were just beginning to hear about CoVid19. Since then everything... plans, work, and life have come to a screeching halt. Everybody is home right now. We are six weeks into everybody being home. I have found myself overwhelmed by all I have seen on the news, in our country, in my state and local towns and grumbling at all the changes. Mister is home a lot now. I keep trying to distract myself-and him-with a lot of little things that have been needing to be done in our home.<br />
<br />
One of the projects that we've talked about for years is to move a light over the stairs. Our stairs are treacherous! At least, that is how it seems to people who visit. The house is 200 years old this year-at least according to sign on the front of the house.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ltZg5B-T3XICollGPAk3jcutqL0WeLnEPucEDp152wQE0gtKzdpJx2S0QfxjLhX1oQkLcmhrDjukIomsIgBizO0LKr9YnviEFhVGd6oXuKgNYaEGscnXyjwyMTanvPnCBWSBltrkGmGS/s1600/IMG_8222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ltZg5B-T3XICollGPAk3jcutqL0WeLnEPucEDp152wQE0gtKzdpJx2S0QfxjLhX1oQkLcmhrDjukIomsIgBizO0LKr9YnviEFhVGd6oXuKgNYaEGscnXyjwyMTanvPnCBWSBltrkGmGS/s400/IMG_8222.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
When the house was built 'codes' weren't a thing. The steps are short and the rise is not to today's standards but we have lived here for 17 years and we're used to them-mostly. Not gonna lie, there are sometimes when the steps just feel a little wonky, especially in the dark. Four years ago (!!!) Mister painted the stairs and walls for me. (<a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2016/09/entryway-update.html" target="_blank">You can see that here</a>.)<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeKF9iGK1q_xmZvPF0PKQCpUEL9XoRC_DJg0PdgmBSiMnd6NgYIS_zNHwZy-5gj5tEEZtqXD9HlYKUCokZiHWoNsJrYf4UNwBC3sKB7wQ_5Tq2HqUye8hRd0KOTVe9x3LzcE6AItNVcTg/s640/painted+stairs.JPG" /><br />
<br />
I purchased a light for the front room a few years ago and Mister has not liked it ever since. I love the light and for several years you could find it anywhere "farmhouse" decor was sold.<br />
<br />
<img height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81UMNTyh8EL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="194" /><br />
<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CNYN4V8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
<br />
Mister doesn't hate the light so much but rather the height it hangs at. Because it is over my desk area I am fine with it but since everything is feeling 'off ' in the world right now I am questioning everything and so I agreed to change it. But, I still love the light and Mister agreed to move it over the stairs! Seems like a perfect compromise to me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-D7oe1obL2OpyVOZeHr2BeagxP_2Idyx9ETujrmO-hk4G5rcrNYeVOYYa4ksp8CyGlhMP6pf7zpXSJrpI3XNyYufGjTKQhcgWnWtAAX7rxexLfMp3XT1ToqKE3PxVBM6-PJvB9_ua6HM/s1600/stair+light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-D7oe1obL2OpyVOZeHr2BeagxP_2Idyx9ETujrmO-hk4G5rcrNYeVOYYa4ksp8CyGlhMP6pf7zpXSJrpI3XNyYufGjTKQhcgWnWtAAX7rxexLfMp3XT1ToqKE3PxVBM6-PJvB9_ua6HM/s400/stair+light.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Well, that is easier said than done but Mister is amazing (in my humble opinion) and did all the work for that which also meant that the attic got all straightened out! SA-WEET!<br />
<br />
And.... since we took that light from over my "desk" (which is really a table my grandmother purchased in France after WWII) we had to get a new light for the room....<br />
<br />
<img height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71MbZ7IyzoL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Ceiling-Fixture-Antique-6-Light-Bathroom/dp/B07SS4WJXR/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=casa+star+ceiling+light&qid=1588192947&s=hi&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyRkNBU0xDMUdUNlcmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA0Njc4ODUyRzlWSEkwMEVVUUxTJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxNzI5NDcyNVlDV1JZTTBMMUdCJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
<br />
and...<br />
<br />
a new light for over the front door!<br />
<br />
<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51MF9IRXN1L._AC_.jpg" /><br />
<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07436B8GB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1" target="_blank"> Source</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuRAYAesOoA-KweUK23XsZ2T8wKmNkgRsP5Aq_5gWtpRFFmvz-J4yDLy8hXpxcKVDpfNrGW-7RVPEAq8oA7HW7-YnGNcKv36B2ZcjvmIB5OncwFeOpdLaCo-Tsca_bgb2LUJ6CCa0XrdU/s1600/door+light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuRAYAesOoA-KweUK23XsZ2T8wKmNkgRsP5Aq_5gWtpRFFmvz-J4yDLy8hXpxcKVDpfNrGW-7RVPEAq8oA7HW7-YnGNcKv36B2ZcjvmIB5OncwFeOpdLaCo-Tsca_bgb2LUJ6CCa0XrdU/s640/door+light.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
And it all started with the stairs being lit up. Who knew?<br />
<br />
I've been spending some of my quarantine time watching <a href="https://www.robesondesign.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca Robeson </a>videos. Her lighting choices are simply S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G!<br />
<br />
And, this is what I have learned about myself recently... I <b><i><u>love</u></i></b> lighting, beautiful lighting <b>but</b> I'm on a budget (wah-wah). That doesn't limit me as much as I thought it would. I do have a propensity for locating the most expensive thing available- "Champagne taste on beer budget", my mom used to say. But there are options and I think I have found some reasonable ones considering our limitations.<br />
<br />
Back to me... So, I now recognize I have a thing for fabric, pottery, and <i><b>lighting</b></i>.<br />
<br />
It didn't stop with the entry, stairs and front room. I just purchased another light for what has become my dressing room.... more on that later!<br />
<br />
<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71Bfo6UXySL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XX9X489/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Source</a><br />
<br />
What have you been up to? Projects, reading? Art? Teaching? Or, just trying to keep a sound mind with everyone home? My mom used to always say, "It won't always be like this." She was right.<br />
<br />
Last week I met with my bible study group online. We had spent the time looking at Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 as she poured her heart out in thanks to God for the gift of her son, Samuel. I could so intimately identify with Hannah's heart attitude in the previous chapter. She was well cared for and provided for by her husband, Elkanah. She lacked nothing. Elkanah abundantly provided for her because he loved her so much and yet for her it was not enough. She had her own idea of what it meant for her to be "complete"; happy and fulfilled. She wanted a child!<br />
<br />
I know there are many women out there who can identify with Hannah. Every mom can identify with Hannah's later prayer that "for this child I have prayed". But what got me most is this... Hannah had a preconceived notion of what happiness looked like to her. All that had been provided for her was not enough-she wanted more and because she didn't have it she was visibly stricken, so much so that her husband asks her "Am I not enough?" (My paraphrase.) But God, -aren't those the MOST BEAUTIFUL words?- heard the pleas of her heart and answered her! Now, if someone said to me, "Hey, God heard your prayer and He will provide for you as you prayed", I may walk away a little encouraged but it wouldn't take long for doubt to creep back in and cause me to question and drag my feet. But not Hannah. We are told, "the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad." Oh. My. Goodness!<br />
<br />
So, the light bulb went off in my dim brain. Have I been complaining in spite of all that God has provided for me? I'm tired of being in my house, tired of not seeing my friends, upset that I can't be at regular church meetings, painting class, and all the many other things I have been missing out on .... But, God has heard me! I am reminded that I have a home, our bills are being met, I have food (and toilet paper), I have friends and a church family to miss. God has provided for me, abundantly. Hopefully, when my heart is reacting rightly, I will look at the lighting in my house and remember this moment when I could see clearly; when I could recognize my natural bent to not be satisfied with all God has blessed me with. And reminded when the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ once again witnessed to my soul that because I am his my grumbling and discontentment can be repented of and forgiven. I too, like Hanna, can have a face that is no longer sad!<br />
<br />
I think my mom had heard from God at some point in her life those precious words; "It won't always be like this." I believe her and more importantly, like Hannah, I believe God. Praying that you are seeing the same light; finding comfort and peace in the God of Hannah during these times.<br />
<br />
Linking to these parties:<br />
<a href="https://www.thededicatedhouse.com/make-it-pretty-monday-week-337/" target="_blank">The Dedicated House</a>, <a href="http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/2020/05/tuesdays-at-our-home-358.html" target="_blank">Our Home Away From Home</a>, <a href="https://blueskyathome.com/tuesday-turn-about-link-party-47/" target="_blank">Blue Sky At Home</a>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578937176153450337.post-91530590162373643722020-04-20T09:01:00.000-04:002020-05-04T06:38:34.290-04:00Garden Arbor TutorialAt the onset of the CoVid19 lock down I knew I was in for some very rough days. My days were about to be invaded - full time. My family is going to be with me pretty much 24/7 and while I am a very sociable person the thought was totally overwhelming. All the projects that I always said I didn't have time for.... well, I wouldn't have that excuse anymore! Mostly, I was anxious for my husband who DOES NOT know how to be still. I knew he would be looking at project after project with expectations and a pace that I just couldn't and didn't want to keep up with. I've moved past that but in the beginning I needed to have something for him to do.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, I had a few projects in mind that I had wanted to get done and I thought this one could occupy him for a few days.<br />
<br />
After the <a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2018/05/garage-progress.html" target="_blank">garage was built </a>we put in walkway from the driveway to the backyard using pavers and white stones. A year of so living with that taught us it was a bad idea. the stones never stayed put. We liked the cement pavers because they went with the what we used for the<a href="http://whileilinger.blogspot.com/2019/05/bbq-shack.html" target="_blank"> bbq shack</a> in the back so we kept them and put down weed barrier and mulch with some dirt in between. I made a concoction of buttermilk, moss and water and spread it in the cracks. (I will let you know if that works.) It has yet to grow.<br />
<br />
And we built the arbor that spans the distance between the house and the garage. Here is how we did it:<br />
<br />
1 bag of quick set cement<br />
2 4x6x12' pressure treated posts<br />
2 2x8x12' pressure treated pine<br />
2 2x4x8' pressure treated pine cut to 2' lengths<br />
Galvanized screws<br />
Wood glue<br />
<br />
Mister used a post hole digger to dig two holes for the 4x6x12 posts about 2 feet deep.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhSQEub6XEvGk77vXvEzZt9vGVUWaXBc8mFv-AtC-0ZsKPQc6jdf3vxuOHGCDMo-RFYUOm_g7JzKnj9IlHzBszzG_3Rs3qTxKQgsBKII1S14Y3yIQr34_2l0EnqbfdpqOs_MSNaVw2q8d/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhSQEub6XEvGk77vXvEzZt9vGVUWaXBc8mFv-AtC-0ZsKPQc6jdf3vxuOHGCDMo-RFYUOm_g7JzKnj9IlHzBszzG_3Rs3qTxKQgsBKII1S14Y3yIQr34_2l0EnqbfdpqOs_MSNaVw2q8d/s640/IMG_1034.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RSYhpN_RuE88cPSM7ed1EcTOwFgo2zNXc5HRCz3wnrGSWA0KqoFjVfQw-QxzgJksIl_2beRaTxLVQYgF92TevZQeWe9O1_HUvQ73b_vSDGGgnrGZW0Fn5l54TeqNr8CGhHcGmtpeuwKn/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RSYhpN_RuE88cPSM7ed1EcTOwFgo2zNXc5HRCz3wnrGSWA0KqoFjVfQw-QxzgJksIl_2beRaTxLVQYgF92TevZQeWe9O1_HUvQ73b_vSDGGgnrGZW0Fn5l54TeqNr8CGhHcGmtpeuwKn/s640/IMG_1035.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
We bought 12' lengths knowing that we would be cutting some off the top once they were cemented in place. Using a level make sure they are plumb-straight, from two sides. Add the quick set and check your plumb, again. Add water. At this point we secured a strapping across the top to keep the posts in place, level/plumb.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnXBNw1L_8Dueixad-WGRpFBim0MaRxGPzp1TLdGyE8el1Fer_gx5RhNR0N02-MzscL2-nYO6Ahycz4aXKo3bDOvnZEfQW9IHgAhHiVripKPgXNFP5cXHwb4LnxJRfeJP6ZLVF_axnpvq/s1600/IMG_1071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnXBNw1L_8Dueixad-WGRpFBim0MaRxGPzp1TLdGyE8el1Fer_gx5RhNR0N02-MzscL2-nYO6Ahycz4aXKo3bDOvnZEfQW9IHgAhHiVripKPgXNFP5cXHwb4LnxJRfeJP6ZLVF_axnpvq/s640/IMG_1071.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
We waited about 24 hours for the posts to set in the cement.<br />
<br />
While we waited on those to set we got busy on the top, working in our garage. We measured the distance between the posts adding a few inches beyond each to really fill the span between the garage and house. I want a little detail on the outsides of the post. I drew a simple design on a piece of card stock for our template for the crossbars and Mister cut them with a jigsaw out of the 2x8x12s. Nothing fancy here. This detail will sit beyond the posts on each side.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg0V78axWQm1RHiedo9Aae0WjVUPgzTZe4-Vk34JMjhcqPPHMXUunGLeiXV2CJ7XGFk67XboY6YZUWbk6XgiGbmVT2muBj35u455bk5ocj2UhS33dpnPgzUSLWAM9vb3fwE5PzxwySq23/s1600/IMG_1074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg0V78axWQm1RHiedo9Aae0WjVUPgzTZe4-Vk34JMjhcqPPHMXUunGLeiXV2CJ7XGFk67XboY6YZUWbk6XgiGbmVT2muBj35u455bk5ocj2UhS33dpnPgzUSLWAM9vb3fwE5PzxwySq23/s640/IMG_1074.JPG" width="546" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Next, we set up some sawhorses and placed our two top rails on them with a piece of scrap wood to space for the where the posts will be.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKjEyG37nSTId1KUOGpna7ksEcHguK6m9BQ8U4bw1UWjmWsbTVjtV-5W4SwGPSUb5tPlC8LI8hpFXKf3V8bPzhi6NByihbcgqGAInZdLTpTV4addTHCG7VN_Cb6NUjSAsg5CqN_RVMTg8/s1600/IMG_1076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKjEyG37nSTId1KUOGpna7ksEcHguK6m9BQ8U4bw1UWjmWsbTVjtV-5W4SwGPSUb5tPlC8LI8hpFXKf3V8bPzhi6NByihbcgqGAInZdLTpTV4addTHCG7VN_Cb6NUjSAsg5CqN_RVMTg8/s640/IMG_1076.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Now for the cross arms that will sit at the very top. (Not really sure what else to call them.) For these we cut the 2x4x8s into 2 foot lengths and later mitered each end. I measured making sure to keep an odd number of pieces (more appealing to the eye.) I landed on seven pieces. I marked the top of the crossbars for easy placement.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsUemC2-2RoXKHJOlo6MdLb7sgv-rCZbRGtt_88ILiP20a3IMNOunPQ-T6zxfENODol9NZK40ExJkPUjO-NryxdRXTvfHuU9sNUseXdubPf3IX9z04HPmFapgquVq6rUtvRdoeDZK7Kxi/s1600/IMG_1073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsUemC2-2RoXKHJOlo6MdLb7sgv-rCZbRGtt_88ILiP20a3IMNOunPQ-T6zxfENODol9NZK40ExJkPUjO-NryxdRXTvfHuU9sNUseXdubPf3IX9z04HPmFapgquVq6rUtvRdoeDZK7Kxi/s640/IMG_1073.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Mister wanted them to sit into the cross bars so he put them through several passes on the table saw making "teeth" that are easily removed with a hammer. (That was my job.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vrRMqLBZRC1AmDCuUISyeq20gwKPg4NM5YDPCCkI5ov6a2Dl78_jULPOA3wktFh51Bj-k2UzmD94sqhmTeoDzNQ6uxgpVQ143rqjDFpT_zHDIq3VBC1lHVIo8HvX0kBaFylhgBJW4fo3/s1600/IMG_1078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vrRMqLBZRC1AmDCuUISyeq20gwKPg4NM5YDPCCkI5ov6a2Dl78_jULPOA3wktFh51Bj-k2UzmD94sqhmTeoDzNQ6uxgpVQ143rqjDFpT_zHDIq3VBC1lHVIo8HvX0kBaFylhgBJW4fo3/s640/IMG_1078.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6F2rYLaLzxi74RZ87ZMTA4rBey_OSuONPBO_D2fn0aHdLomWGUvhk_pOlps6-MmlzjYKHkQDo7T9PyW-SUCXGzy-Ofi3RDJ0e8K9JR-24dERhPabqyp5hsR46wA0mhBEX4PFfNj1EsZw/s1600/IMG_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6F2rYLaLzxi74RZ87ZMTA4rBey_OSuONPBO_D2fn0aHdLomWGUvhk_pOlps6-MmlzjYKHkQDo7T9PyW-SUCXGzy-Ofi3RDJ0e8K9JR-24dERhPabqyp5hsR46wA0mhBEX4PFfNj1EsZw/s640/IMG_1080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Once they were cleaned up they sat down, hugging onto the crossbars.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQPCjXWivGjzUETnbixNgxzc4OAvUPnFBAfo7hfzfBSFsSMQ4pMry5AlAUBZAoCjAlm0kvWSBVAx8CW6IsEbXGPN1WrUpM6yOE3qYOjbdwjd53JylbvGRwFaiejM7pJEekR8fxpFy_B0F/s1600/IMG_1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQPCjXWivGjzUETnbixNgxzc4OAvUPnFBAfo7hfzfBSFsSMQ4pMry5AlAUBZAoCjAlm0kvWSBVAx8CW6IsEbXGPN1WrUpM6yOE3qYOjbdwjd53JylbvGRwFaiejM7pJEekR8fxpFy_B0F/s640/IMG_1083.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVFPm9ZX1G9kyj0aHHO7RWulb6kSpv-zYGNhnTyXBfYwcEEsQWMqfzfBNmDLjDGcBTu6VPryqrse8hCQWvRZf9xOQgnw5EsfiVd5H5r06sC8PVaHA1WY7PfmDUqpNMg7WBOCTiwhymmEB/s1600/IMG_1081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVFPm9ZX1G9kyj0aHHO7RWulb6kSpv-zYGNhnTyXBfYwcEEsQWMqfzfBNmDLjDGcBTu6VPryqrse8hCQWvRZf9xOQgnw5EsfiVd5H5r06sC8PVaHA1WY7PfmDUqpNMg7WBOCTiwhymmEB/s640/IMG_1081.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldFSn3fKqNpH-Rba0hCFGbWK8g1A8K9Y0ZVJk30iF6XlA9-WAEcFpZS8cM5j_O7uJrj6hqx-m_WpBx7SY4PwpSYbBMNwTMY-JPvbe-W-tJOaoie60FP-WFjbsnQ4NDm5Z05j3j0T0-wOq/s1600/IMG_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldFSn3fKqNpH-Rba0hCFGbWK8g1A8K9Y0ZVJk30iF6XlA9-WAEcFpZS8cM5j_O7uJrj6hqx-m_WpBx7SY4PwpSYbBMNwTMY-JPvbe-W-tJOaoie60FP-WFjbsnQ4NDm5Z05j3j0T0-wOq/s640/IMG_1084.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Ready? Let's put this together!<br />
<br />
Back outside! We removed the strapping the helped keep our posts plumb. We held up a crossbar at a height that seemed reasonable to us. The bottom of the crossbar is a little over 7 feet high. I wanted it to feel like you were walking into a separate "room" when you came through. The roof line of the house was factored in as well as the trim around the window. It all had to work together. If it went too high nobody would really notice it.<br />
<br />
If you have extra hands you can just hold the crossbar or you can temporarily attach to posts. Make sure it is level, but sometimes level doesn't look right and slightly off makes more sense to the eye. Take your time, step back and look at it. Mark your posts where the <u><b>top</b></u> (you will notice in the picture that <i>someone</i> started cutting at the <b>bottom</b>) of where crossbars will sit. Remove your crossbar and cut off the excess post. Mister used a circular saw and it took two cuts, one on the front and one on the back to get through.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiVd9PdU-jpIUAWowF7mdaGOHT6NgAoX1iqEft3gkYzFqRnnRmBgavwJEF9AYZGX_-GNnpeSxQhLa5q62Jc23XUJEaMUaXHobHOy2Gw5hZstfns8L3ufJvJkzgHXhSacUpjUP5XLiBqzf/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiVd9PdU-jpIUAWowF7mdaGOHT6NgAoX1iqEft3gkYzFqRnnRmBgavwJEF9AYZGX_-GNnpeSxQhLa5q62Jc23XUJEaMUaXHobHOy2Gw5hZstfns8L3ufJvJkzgHXhSacUpjUP5XLiBqzf/s640/IMG_1096.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Attach the front crossbar, screwing and countersinking the screws from the back of the post into the crossbar. Attach the second crossbar onto the back of the posts, I didn't care if the screws show here. We used that previous piece of strapping to help us get both crossbars up and level with each other.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_yHSBOwdmzgxY6OZkDcNHkYFemjGVokAg5Wxy9JOji1hzv10O6vWzKpRN2ulL8YW2kYubEgxiUk4a5hvMvx4OQldjPCFdtM_UerKdZukv5ij8gooEpF-ys6VXM8pkluKCk9A6F0VW4Hv/s1600/IMG_1095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_yHSBOwdmzgxY6OZkDcNHkYFemjGVokAg5Wxy9JOji1hzv10O6vWzKpRN2ulL8YW2kYubEgxiUk4a5hvMvx4OQldjPCFdtM_UerKdZukv5ij8gooEpF-ys6VXM8pkluKCk9A6F0VW4Hv/s640/IMG_1095.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
When the crossbars were mounted, one on the front of the posts and one on the back, you can start to place the small arbor arms. Mister lined up the arms with the marks I had made earlier and attached them from the top with galvanized screws.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7uF6f5lYTdK87SzniugXrAZ5A0T4QT4VFsF94-EXc3BE-jKiPqN_FG-P7rxqauTfgZzzSoYLzB57iq6zQtZkquUwVPQQSeeVrhq0t3kITgFmVCZOhLLqjvQqlHXazxTARS6FF_XBJBul/s1600/IMG_1103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7uF6f5lYTdK87SzniugXrAZ5A0T4QT4VFsF94-EXc3BE-jKiPqN_FG-P7rxqauTfgZzzSoYLzB57iq6zQtZkquUwVPQQSeeVrhq0t3kITgFmVCZOhLLqjvQqlHXazxTARS6FF_XBJBul/s640/IMG_1103.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
*The "oops" cut got filled in with wood glue and a strategically placed screw allowed it to dry well and maintain integrity.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggz3uicZROaLxwVdQQE2rgEWKzn933wiz7o_TcXvlksShf9i60DTscJ8ICXwvRkfmNwXaMKAXvshjBUf1WlJT8W0zMUL_XGt06JuI8XpoN-8jTFN1lwIZeu0OPOG62XG9BS2nAqQov2HgO/s1600/finished+arbor1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1511" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggz3uicZROaLxwVdQQE2rgEWKzn933wiz7o_TcXvlksShf9i60DTscJ8ICXwvRkfmNwXaMKAXvshjBUf1WlJT8W0zMUL_XGt06JuI8XpoN-8jTFN1lwIZeu0OPOG62XG9BS2nAqQov2HgO/s640/finished+arbor1.jpg" width="604" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYP9GP2cc_e05gzArBD9_DZARVEIiEXuL0EwDDE8FAThYG6RdQ6LOUTmhusE5YxNkJ9AspsvBrPVxTODYCEEh0TMMdtkaAOL-2eny3MCjB5yWy-9h1kIwh8g_GwFBv3r0Gd7ntPmxXNEbV/s1600/finished+arbor2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYP9GP2cc_e05gzArBD9_DZARVEIiEXuL0EwDDE8FAThYG6RdQ6LOUTmhusE5YxNkJ9AspsvBrPVxTODYCEEh0TMMdtkaAOL-2eny3MCjB5yWy-9h1kIwh8g_GwFBv3r0Gd7ntPmxXNEbV/s640/finished+arbor2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTqNV3igLWxrKhoOp8FbGBYAAp4dXHdVFxG1P_GRH9xVLIzg4Ijj_PBRF22rN6Uue_S6Q1F6BhjfRggv-xDIXx_nkoLBdMJzqtwzexbqkDtEStf92UlTt8DD9wMo8pNtH3hRN0EB6_Ahi/s1600/finished+arbor3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTqNV3igLWxrKhoOp8FbGBYAAp4dXHdVFxG1P_GRH9xVLIzg4Ijj_PBRF22rN6Uue_S6Q1F6BhjfRggv-xDIXx_nkoLBdMJzqtwzexbqkDtEStf92UlTt8DD9wMo8pNtH3hRN0EB6_Ahi/s640/finished+arbor3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
The arbor will get a few coats of white opaque stain when the wood has dried out enough. For now this is as far as it has gotten. I will update this post when the stain goes on.<br />
<br />
So, what do you think? A good use of time? Here is the breakdown:<br />
<br />
Time: 2 days<br />
Skill level: Beginner, if you keep your cuts simple<br />
Cost: $100<br />
Worth: Priceless, as it kept Mister busy and is a great addition to the property.<br />
<br />
**UPDATE<br />
A couple coats of opaque white stain and some temporary pot fillers were added. Also, my attempt to grow moss with the buttermilk mixture did not take. I ended up transplanting some from another area in my yard.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzZeRbpya6pYf_6ILpZB-skqQ8UEkjqUBxzCrdTQ8mmsoTBInS2zSkYIKMnys2fC3fzBjzAWJ8yak_XuAPJrYvtLBfFekrxGs7O2OmsvwPfzfpHs5pDYTRToWKgfO8jgZDI_EN-jKJtP6/s1600/painted+arbor+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1308" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzZeRbpya6pYf_6ILpZB-skqQ8UEkjqUBxzCrdTQ8mmsoTBInS2zSkYIKMnys2fC3fzBjzAWJ8yak_XuAPJrYvtLBfFekrxGs7O2OmsvwPfzfpHs5pDYTRToWKgfO8jgZDI_EN-jKJtP6/s640/painted+arbor+2.jpg" width="522" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGq07jMHH-5IUtzXcPOILlsUbXG3OWry4O5Qk9EB1hY4JkK0165KWVVrNyCkuxWvXng0rVTYd-nUGSVLutmLwFzOvGqz_2ladQGFPgnC6z74s8-rNhMbHkUjOEuUU_5EX_o3inna925Vx/s1600/painted+arbor+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGq07jMHH-5IUtzXcPOILlsUbXG3OWry4O5Qk9EB1hY4JkK0165KWVVrNyCkuxWvXng0rVTYd-nUGSVLutmLwFzOvGqz_2ladQGFPgnC6z74s8-rNhMbHkUjOEuUU_5EX_o3inna925Vx/s640/painted+arbor+3.jpg" width="528" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Linking parties: <a href="http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/2020/04/tuesdays-at-our-home-356-features.html" target="_blank">Our Home Away From Home</a>, <a href="https://www.thededicatedhouse.com/make-it-pretty-monday-week-335/" target="_blank">The Dedicated House</a>, <a href="https://blueskyathome.com/tuesday-turn-about-link-party-45/" target="_blank">Blue Sky At Home</a>, <a href="https://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/inspire-me-monday-22/" target="_blank">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a>, <a href="https://www.create-with-joy.com/2020/04/inspire-me-monday-week-431.html" target="_blank">Create With Joy</a>, <a href="https://www.loulougirls.com/2020/04/lou-lou-girls-fabulous-party-316.html" target="_blank">Lou Lou Girls</a>, <a href="https://grammysgrid.com/a-themed-linkup-15-for-crafts-and-diy/" target="_blank">Grammy's Grid</a>, <a href="https://www.myrandommusings.co.uk/2020/04/anythinggoes-linky-234/" target="_blank">Anything Goes</a>, <a href="http://mylittleshopoftreasures.blogspot.com/search/label/Blog%20Hop#.XqBwJchKi4p" target="_blank">My Little Shop of Treasures</a>, <a href="https://acrosstheblvd.com/beautifully-made-link-party-109-for-home-decor/" target="_blank">Across The Boulevard</a>, <a href="https://apriljharris.com/a-whole-new-world-at-the-hearth-and-soul-link-party/" target="_blank">April J Harris</a>, <a href="https://www.dabblinganddecorating.com/single-post/2020/03/31/Charming-Homes-Gardens-Wednesday-Link-Party" target="_blank">Dabbling and Decorating</a>, <a href="https://ducksnarow.com/2020/04/wonderful-wednesday-blog-hop-13.html" target="_blank">Ducks N A Row</a>, <a href="https://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2020/04/wow-me-wednesday-451.html" target="_blank">Ginger Snap Crafts</a>, <a href="https://lifebeyondthekitchen.com/creatively-crafty-link-party-220/" target="_blank">Life Beyond The Kitchen</a>, <a href="https://katherinescorner.com/2020/04/23/april-garden-and-tft-blog-hop/" target="_blank">Katherine's Corner</a>, <a href="https://www.thepinjunkie.com/2020/04/pin-junkie-pin-party-365.html" target="_blank">The Pin Junkie</a>, <a href="https://www.shabbyartboutique.com/2020/04/create-bake-grow-gather-party-416.html" target="_blank">Shabby Art Boutique</a>, <a href="http://www.answerischoco.com/" target="_blank">The Answer Is Chocolate</a>,<a href="https://www.chiconashoestringdecoratingblog.com/" target="_blank"> Chic On A Shoestring</a>, <a href="https://coastalbohemian.blogspot.com/2020/04/funtastic-friday-277.html" target="_blank">Coastal Bohemian</a>, <a href="https://www.create-with-joy.com/2020/04/friendship-friday-blog-hop-428.html" target="_blank">Create With Joy</a>, <a href="https://www.impartinggrace.com/" target="_blank">Imparting Grace</a>, <a href="https://thecottagemarket.com/a-morning-cup-of-joe-with-features-and-linky-party-28/" target="_blank">The Cottage Market</a>, <a href="https://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/2020/04/saturday-sparks-link-party-372.html" target="_blank">Pieced Pastimes</a>, <a href="https://www.ourhopefulhome.com/2020/04/vintage-charm-party-229.html" target="_blank">Our Hopeful Home</a>, <a href="https://www.findingsilverpennies.com/silver-pennies-sundays-link-party-356/" target="_blank">Finding Silver Pennies</a>While I Lingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05276881014160727486noreply@blogger.com12