To Curtain or Not to Curtain

My little brain is rather preoccupied with household things these days. Not much room in there for deep thinking right now. So...about the curtains. I have never had a home without curtains in every window. They speak warmth and coziness to me. I had fully intended to get lovely new curtains at some point. I even sent away for catalogs with beautiful country curtains and sheer elegant panels for the bay window.

However, when I looked closely at the beautiful cornice work over every window I began to have second thoughts. Should I really cover them up?

Not being gifted in the home decorating arena, I decided I'd better ask the advice of some trusted friends.

So trusted friends. What do you think? Curtains or no curtains? I am open to any and all suggestions.

All of the windows look like this: the kitchen

one of the living room windows

The bay window in the bedroom

a close-up of the cornice (is that the correct term?)

Thank you so much. I feel just a bit silly, but really - I just need help.

Blessings,
Linda

All Things

"All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all."
Cecil F. Alexander

We saw this beautiful boy on our new walk this morning. Amazing!

Linking to Sandy and Deidra today.





Blessings,
Linda

Done!

Today was the day. I courageously faced down the pile of boxes marked "books" and conquered it. I am happy to report they all fit (well...I had to part with some of them in order to make that happen). I was so happy to see them all again. They are well loved friends.

A very thoughtful engineer put book shelves in the powder room.

A very thoughtful husband designed shelves in the little corner between our bedroom and the living room.

My bookshelf in the study.

Alas, these are the books who didn't make the cut. I am sure they will find good homes. They're very nice.

Blessings,
Linda

Common Things

I never met her or talked with her, but I have always thought of Ruth Bell Graham as a mentor. As a young wife and mother her words spoke quiet wisdom into my heart. I will never forget reading, "Don't expect your husband to be what only Jesus Christ can be." Those few words made such an impact.

Over the years her words have continued to influence my life. I don't have words of my own to share just now (still dealing with all that cardboard and newspaper), but I read one of her poems this morning that speaks volumes for me:


Common Things

Lord, let mine be
a common place
while here.
His was a common one;
He seems so near
when I am working
at some ordinary task.
Lord, let mine be
a common one, I ask.
Give me things to do
that others shun,
I am not so gifted or
so poised,
Lord, as some.
I am best fitted
for the common things,
and I am happy so.
It always brings
a sense of fellowship
with him who learned
to do the lowly things
that others spurned:
to wear simple clothes,
the common dress,
to gather in His arms
and gently bless
(and He was busy, too)
a little child,
to lay His hand upon
the one defiled,
to walk with sinners
down some narrow street,
to kneel Himself
and wash men's dusty feet.
To ride a common foal,
to work with wood,
to dwell with common folk,
eat common food;
and then upon the city dump
to die for me

Lord, common things
are all I ask
of Thee.

Blessings,
Linda

Pictures Galore!

For those of you who kindly asked to see pictures of our new home. Please view them with grace; we've only been in for a week! I still have a good sized pile of boxes in the garage (not pictured), and not everything has found its perfect spot in which to live :-) We are a work in progress.

So without further ado:

This is where I am sitting right now - on the little patio out back.

Just a few yards in front of me - my favorite spot on these beautiful acres.

Home of the future flower garden. Linds, I dearly wish you could come help me.

The front porch - all ready for company.

The view from my kitchen window - because it is a gift to have a window over the sink!

Kitchen

Living room - still in progress. The fireplace is one of those "blessings upon blessings."

The Master Bedroom. The baby buggy was my Mom's when she was a little girl. I am not sure just where it will live, but it absolutely must stay. My Dad made the cradle for my brother - the little "caboose" who came into my life when I was 18 years old.

I just had to show off my "Easter" cactus. She has never bloomed for Christmas. She much prefers Easter. I think I understand.

The breakfast area - with the hutch my Dad made years and years ago. It has been a part of my life for nearly as long as I can remember. My sweet husband struggled with the house plans to make a place for it, and it fits perfectly!

My desk in the little room we are calling "The Study."

The piano lives in the Study too.

So there you have it - a mini-tour of the new home. Any and all decorating suggestions welcomed!

Blessings dear friends,
Linda

Happy Easter

Wishing you a blessed and joyous Resurrection Sunday.

Alive

"Who but You,
Could breathe and leave a trail of galaxies
And dream of me?
What kind of Love
Is writing my story until the end
With Mercy's pen?
Only You..."




We used this beautiful song from The Story (Natalie Grant) in our Easter program.

Linda

A Quick Little Visit

I'm still here - buried under a mountain of cardboard boxes. But we are in our new home and so thankful we could burst. We sat outside on the patio Sunday afternoon - listening to the wind blow through the huge old oaks and just soaking it all in. God is so very good and gives us such extravagant gifts.

I am slowly working my way through this process. I hope to get back to writing in a week or so. I miss all of you more than I can say. Praying the days of this Holy week will draw you gently into His presence.

Blessings,
Linda