Winter favorites

This week I've been sharing a few of my favorite things over on facebook, so here's the re-cap plus my favorite things on Amazon right now.

With spring just around the corner, I'm loving all the floral inspiration via Pinterest.
And while I don't ever want chocolate on Valentine's Day,  Olive and Sinclair is my everyday choice. It's all natural & handmade right here in Nashville.

I haven't talked much about my journey using essential oils & I do want to share in depth all about my experience because this collection has honestly been a lifesaver for my emotional postpartum health.
Like game changing. I literally feel like a new person mentally, emotionally & physically when I consistently use them!

And finally; A few of my favorite lovely home essentials via amazon for your weekend shopping, like my everday wrapping supplies, kraft paper, twine & ribbon.
Below you'll find direct links to each item, including my current throw blanket, floral vases, and salad utensils.  Happy Fri-yay!

twine  | stripe ribbon | kraft wrapping paper | salad utensils | glass vase | wool dryer balls | throw blanket

Christmas reflections for a New Year

   

                          Last Christmas season life felt a bit slower. Each day planned and purposeful,

whether it was a day full of baking or a leisurely late night drive.

This year however, I found myself longing to replicate those moments;

 Christmas shopping dates with my hubby, warm drink in my hand, and pressure far from me.

Yet, that didn't happen.

At least I thought it didn't. Honestly, it just didn't look exactly like last year. 

As comparison nagged at my emotions, I struggled to feel that this Christmas somehow was lacking...

didn't measure up.

 Didn't feel like it should, which obviously meant something was wrong.

In the silence, the Father began to reveal that I honestly was longing for an experience. Last years experience

The past. Familiarity. 

The same longing that crowds of multitudes and even His own followers looked for, 

miracles to be duplicated.

In all honesty, Nothing, absolutely nothing was wrong with this Christmas!

What a silly stupid lie!

 A scheme of the enemy to minimize the current beauty of the Father's workings in our life!

The plans we had this year were the plans for this year.

Finishing up our kitchen remodel; chauffeuring teens here and there; 

Opening our home to family and friends that He led to our doorstep.

Date nights on the town exchanged with late night, side by side, online shopping.

In the same way, many missed the Messiah's birth because they misunderstood, 

awaiting for their King to come in the manner their minds accepted.

 I don't want to miss His heartbeat because it looked different last year.

I never want to miss the beauty while longing for the familiar.

 Personally, I prefer simplicity, but I never want to idealize or idolize what Christmas should look like.

 I continually want to walk in step with His movement, day by day. Mindful of what He lays before me.

 Not distracted from what's in front of me, by looking at what was behind.

 

"this day"

The sycamore trees are shedding their leaves and the maple trees are dressed in vibrant color.
It's technically fall here in the south, though unseasonably warm days beg to differ.

I certainly am.not.complaining!

Thanksgiving is in less than a week and my heart is abundantly full.

I'm soaking in the striking beauty of colorful weekend strolls, and the everyday comforts of days
shared with the ones I love dearly.

Currently, the kids and I spend as much time outdoors as we can, but when the evening cools,
I enjoy snuggling beneath a cozy blanket with a good book.

I haven't always had the time to enjoy this leisure, however during this season of feeding the souls of my children through excellent literature, the desire to feed my soul alongside them grows as well.

Currently I'm reading through this, this or this book
 this, and this book are on my amazon wish list.

Fall decor is beautifully simple using outdoor elements;
 tree stumps, collected pine cones and branches,

  While fall is the season of layered clothing, warm drinks, and the external beauty on our doorstep,
 my heart is warmed by the beauty of motherhood and friendship.

My husband, our children, are a gift. This day is a gift.

Being mom and wife to these beautiful people in my life, at times can feel overwhelming.

I stagger under the weight of all I feel demands my utmost importance, a weight I'm not meant to carry.

 I can work to the point of exhaustion and still feel lacking. There will always be more....

But when I choose to lay all those expectations, internal and external, at His feet, 

my heart realigns to His plan, for this day.

inside our home {pantry}

I'm so glad spring is here, aren't you?! I'm home after being away at Teach them Diligently.
I'm exhausted.

I don't know what you're experience has been with a home school convention, but personally, there is abundantly more material than I can take in.

I listened to a handful of encouraging speakers, bought a few fossils, pondered science curriculum and walked endlessly. My overwhelmed, introverted mind just needs to decompress!

Saturday evening, as I pulled into the driveway, my amazing husband was working in the garage,
                         Finishing the barn door I've been dreaming of for our new pantry addition!

We moved into our new builder style home five years ago, and while our home has been maintenance free, we wanted to add a few additional, functional spaces. This space is downstairs near our kitchen / dining area and originally was a small coat closet. Now it's a beautiful pantry, with floor to ceiling wrap shelving.

The door coordinates perfectly with this gorgeous light fixture hanging above our kitchen table, which Ben also made! I love it so, so much!!

I absolutely love all things farmhouse with a mix of industrial/vintage texture, 

                                         You can view some of my inspiring home ideas over here

D.I.Y. birthday photo display

Sweet Pea just celebrated her fifth birthday and I can hardly believe it! We've completely cherished every moment of her life! She has brought immense joy and beauty to our hearts and home!

 In our home, we celebrate birthday's based on each child's interests; I also keep the decorations simple. Here's a peek at my current photo display's which I rotate out for each child's special day.

This horizontal piece of chicken wire hangs in our living room, displaying family photo's throughout the year.
Each birthday we customize it; add pom garland and twine across the top. simple. lovely. and personal. 

 

I also strung a piece of jute across our fireplace mantle, attaching photo's to paper doilies with clothespins.

 Happy Birthday my Sweet Pea! You are SO incredibly loved!

advent + hope

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

  Crisp air, the glow of candle lights, beautiful music, family, traditions, and memorable time together.

  More than tangible sights and sounds, Christmas is glorious because there is hope!

{"and this hope does not lead to disappointment for we know how dearly God loves us because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with love" ~ Romans 5:5}

 "You have formed us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in You" ~ Augustine

 

   Our hearts are full of overwhemling pleasure and friendship with our Father. God with Us to dwell!

happy garland {my craft room}

Currently, our home has a lovely little spare bedroom I affectionately call "my craft room"... 

{not to exempt the rest of our home, because I am homeschooling six kiddos, which inevitably lends to hot glueing on the kitchen countertop occasionally.}

Last week I actually spent a little time organizing fabric and adding a bit of garland loveliness in there. 

Honestly, the room resembles this most of the time...

 With the weather being so cold, I've hunkered down during the evenings, cutting and sewing scrap happy garlands. A little bit of happiness inside to warm my soul! 

                                                                                                                                                

D.I.Y. {colorful arrows}

                        I haven't posted a D.I.Y. in a while; so here's a fun one for your weekend.
 

                                                               

I spotted these arrows a while back over at Heather's blog, lifemadelovely.

 Carly made the above arrows for her sons room, found here. 

I thought these would be great for my "bigger" guys room.

I made mine up this week, while my kiddos had a spring break of sorts. I do want to make more, but I only accomplished this single one. It's not complicated, just takes a bit of time...

                                materials: dowel rod, embroidery thread, felt, and hot glue

assemble: wrap embroidery thread around the dowel, hot glueing as needed, then hot glue the arrow pieces.

                                                                 
                                                   Hang in a colorful, happy place and enjoy!

capturing the past

       home to me means being surrounded by the ones i love and the things that mean most to our hearts.                                     
this quilt is truly one of my very favorite things. Sweet Pea sleeps beneath this blanket which was made by                                 
 her great-great grandmother and recently passed, great grandmother. It belonged to her grandmother for

many years, who then gave it to me. a beautiful piece of family history. our family.

{merry & bright} Christmas 2012

  The kitchen remodel is officially finished!!

This beautiful light fixture is my Christmas present, handmade by my husband. I'm absolutely in love with it!
                                                                 It's such a beautiful piece!

                                                                  

 Merry Christmas from The Hutchison's.