Beauty in the Humblest Things

"The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely."

~Louisa May Alcott

"Envying someone else's life doesn't make your life better -- like actually enjoying your own life does."

~Ann Voskamp

Recent Finds

Happy New Year!!  Recently,I was able to go back to my favorite resale shop with Christmas money in hand, so exciting.  I found the perfect cabinet for our powder room, which had no storage.  It was even the right color, although, I was not against having to paint in order to find the right cabinet.

Then we found bedside tables, solid wood, marked down to 2 for $12!  At first I thought I would paint them this spring, but now I like the dark wood.  Besides none of our bedroom furniture is painted.  I do not mind the mixed wood tones.  These tables were just what we needed and had been looking for.

I also bought a replacement spoon rest.  My free one from Good Will chipped beyond repair, unfortunately. This one is Fiesta Ware, made in America.  It will last for a long time.

And lastly, we had been given a lamp, but it did not have a harp or shade.  We finally found the right parts and put it on the desk in the office.  I know the shade is kind of modern and my furniture is more traditional, but I liked how it looked, so that was that.

I really enjoy making a home via the resale shops!  I hope to go again soon, when the weather improves.  I am looking to add to my 1970's Correlle.

I ♡ Antique Malls

I think I've mentioned before that I do not enjoy shopping.  Recently I rediscovered that isn't exactly true. I had forgotten how much I enjoy antique malls.

One lovely fall day, we spent 3 hours walking around, looking at and remembering things we had long ago. Oh, if only I knew way back then that my unwanted junk would be worth so much now!

We did bring home a few treasures. We found an upholstered ottoman,  4 mugs to match our 70's Correll,  and a couple Christmas tree ornaments. My 12 year old son used birthday money to buy a knife. And, many of the vendors gave a 30% discount for cash!

 This particular mall is 40 minutes away, near a favoriye park, making it a good day trip stop. We will be back! I have my eye on a Pyrex bowl set!

Contentment in Nature

My cousin took this photo while out on a walk with her dog one morning.  When I look at it, I feel such contentment, so I thought I'd share it here.

When Dreams Are Put on Hold

Our recent move seemed like the perfect opportunity to realize some dreams, but alas, that was not in the budget.  Our new home, while lovely and very cozy, sits in the middle of a typical newer neighborhood, something I thought I would never do again.

The bottom line was this is what we could afford.  There were no homes on land in our price range that were inhabitable.  Either you had a nice house on no land or land with a house that needed tearing down.  So, in the spirit of this blog, I am truly content to be where I am.

I am thankful we can own a home again, something I did not dare think about too much.  I am thankful to have all that I need and a lot of what I wanted.  I will work to make this home, home.  And truly, if this home were on 5 acres, I would not be any more content.  The 5 acres would just require more effort and perhaps right now a quarter of an acre is plenty.

September Garden Update

My little wild garden is in its final stages of glory.  We got 5 fat, juicy cherry tomatoes this week from the volunteer tomato plant.  The Morning Glory is so pretty.  Those seeds were given to me and frankly, I did not expect them to do so well.  It has taken over.  The herbs are all going crazy.  Bees buzz around constantly.  This has to be my favorite year with this garden.  Of course it is now my last year here at this house.  That's OK.  I have made the most of what I had here.  Next year, I will have a new garden to tame, Lord willing.  There will be new ideas to try.

Even a Good Change Can Be Hard

Will the Morning Glory bloom? 

There are some big changes on my horizon, and as with many people, change is hard for me.  All of a sudden, it seems, I am asked to leave my comfort zone, and I struggle to embrace this as an opportunity for growth.  I had in my mind that we'd be moving when our lease is up, in a year and a half.  I am doing better now than when the idea to move first appeared.  But to be truthful, I would love to just hide away right now and not deal with all the stuff.  (I need a moving fairy to come!)

I am excited to be possibly buying a house instead of renting, although, this huge debt scares me.  I have grown fond of not having any debt!  I know a house will be different than consumer debt, of course.  I will have to work hard at not wanting more house than we can afford.  This will not be my dream house.  It will be the house we finish our family.  Perhaps the dream house will come later.  Perhaps it will not.  I am at peace with that part of myself, the part that dreams.

Most likely, we will be moving into a slightly smaller house, still spacious, I am sure.  But, we will still need to take a hard look at every object in our possession before we move.  Every.  Last.  Item.

I have made several trips to Good Will.  I have another load to take soon.  Depending on the house, we will purge furniture, too.  I am happy to let it all go.  The more the better, I say!  My kids are trying to go through their stuff as well.  We may be having the boys share a bedroom.  It could get tight.  But I know it will be OK.  Plenty of siblings share rooms.

I am looking forward to making a new place our home, our refuge.  I will be looking for a sunny backyard in which to grow a real garden.  I am looking forward to painting my daughter's room blue, a dream of hers.  If the loan all happens, I will call myself blessed for sure!  Until then, I purge on!!!