Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Raise your hand if you love a good planner and making plans? The last few months have certainly taught us that plans don't always work out as we draft them. Through all of this (and other trying times) I have often heard, "It's all part of God's plan." While I understand that this statement is meant to bring comfort, it isn't accurate. God's plans are NEVER for evil or pain or sickness or to hurt us. God does not plan pandemics, he does not injure us, he does not take people from us, he doesn't bankrupt us. God is virtuous, his plans are righteous. He can use our pain and our hurts to make us better and stronger, but they are never a part of his intentions. And this verse reminds us that not only is the Lord good, but he is good and compassionate to ALL of us--amen!

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! I have had the Dixie Chicks' song "She Needs Wide Open Spaces" running through my brain the past few days. It might be the weather (we have had lots of rain and some snow) and certainly it is because the words quarantine and socially distancing have become all too familiar and common. After being in a cramped and confined hiding space, God led David to a spacious spot. We all go through tight, tough seasons that make us feel entrapped. We long for freedom, for places where we allow our hearts and feelings of peace run free. God is inexplicably thrilled when we find that freeing, wide open space within the expanse of his loving arms. God waits for us, delivers and rescues us, not because of anything we do, not because we earn it or work hard enough for it, but because it delights him. If you are feeling enclosed, trapped by the hard things, rest and rejoice in the vast space of God's saving love, grace, and peace.

Rustic Farmhouse Work Table

The little blue desk I shared last week (HERE) sold within a few days. 

That inspired me to build a rustic, farmhouse desk/ work table.

I have made these before, but not for a few years. I am really happy how this one came out (because honestly, I am never sure when I start).

I used reclaimed barnwood and started by making the sides. I cut the front legs as a 20 degree angle.  I painted the legs white before adding some barnwood that I planed to the top. I made this table longer than the previous ones--it is 48" long. 

The bottom shelf sits back a bit and is only one board wide so there is room for a chair. The bottom shelf is perfect for books, baskets, feet. A diagonal board across the back helps to remove any wobble the table might have.

This rustic farmhouse table makes a great desk, vanity, entry or sofa table, or a potting bench. It is sturdy and not too big so it would work in lots of spot. How would you use it?

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday and Happy Mother's Day! I found some fun graffiti on a recent walk. I liked how the LOVE stood out and covered some of the other negative things. Love is like that, when practiced well, it covers and heals a whole lot of ugly. If you are a mom (or parent) you certainly know that love allows us to overlook, forgive, and ignore a whole mess of faults. We love our children without conditions and we love them as if our lives depend on it. But, often times we do not show this same kind of love to others. When we let love lead it makes the other things--the hard things and the difficult people, a bit easier to understand and easier to endure. Parenting gives us plenty of opportunities to work on unconditional love. Jesus loves us freely and perfectly. Let's practice sharing that same sin-covering, patient, kind, forgiving love with all those we come in contact with.

Roadside Desk Rescue and Cowboy Stool

Freebies on the side of the road seem few and far between anymore. But, recently I spied a little desk in the street that just had to come home with me. (Yes, I wore a mask, and wiped it down with disinfecting wipes before I put it in my car.) 

It had a big crack across the top (it is repaired in the above picture). I glued and clamped the split and used mending plates underneath it to keep it held together. It is sturdy and didn't need any other repair.

Whoever had painted it, had done a decent job painting it a teal color with a dark/black stain over the top. However, it had some crusty, bubbly spots of missing paint so I decided to give it a good sanding. I also wanted to sand well along the split that I repaired, but didn't want it to only be sanded along the line. There was light blue paint under the teal and tan under that. I think the wood is oak.

After lots of sanding, I used Early American Minwax stain on this rustic desk.

The cute little cowboy stool was from the thrift store, pre-covid. It's original life was as an oak stool with a wicker seat. I think it was probably a vanity stool and is fairly old. When I found it someone had spray painted it with the pebbly stone spray paint (which is a bear to sand off) and covered in a less than lovely brown vinyl. I sanded and stained it and recovered it with some fun cowboy fabric I have been holding on to.

I won't sell the desk and stool as a set,but I do think they are cute together. The desk has a worn, rugged denim look and the fabric in the stool has some great blues that match the desk.

These would be cute in a cabin or cowboy room or the desk would make a great little entry table or a tall side table. 

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Do you ever just get a gut feeling about something and you don't know if you should trust it or not? Our "guts", intuition, insights, and discernment are all gifts from God. The problem is, we often forget to use these gifts because they get buried, hidden, and disguised by the worldly stuff. Sometimes we know the truth, but we don't want to see it because it is difficult to hear. Fears and worries mask our instincts. I know that when I have ignored hunches and have turned a deaf ear to my intuition, I have regretted it. We sense what is right, we inherently know what is true, but we often don't trust it. We need to listen to our hearts, to God, and lean on what and WHO we know is right, and true, and good. This week pay attention to those deep, tugging feelings and listen to and heed wise counsel.

DIY Wood Corbels

Wood corbels are hard to come by and when you do find them, they aren't cheap. So, I decided to make some.

I used two wood spindles I had, cutting 45 degree angles on them. I used some nice hardwood ( I am not sure what variety of wood it is) to create the 90 degree supports and joined them together with screws.

They make great bookends.

Or are cute sitting in a windowsill.

They are fun sitting on a table and 

are good props for favorite photos.

They also can be used in doorway openings or as shelf or mantle brackets. I will definitely be making more of these. Where would you use them?

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! We have been walking along the river lately and we always enjoy catching glimpses of beavers hard at work in the river. The size of some of the trees that they have chewed down amaze me. They work at gnawing around the trunks so that they can then get to the branches to drag back to build their dens. The beavers seem to constantly be on the move, not giving up on the tasks in front of them. We have things in our lives that take time-- healing relationships, getting through hardships, forgiveness, change, and sometimes (often times) we want to quit in the waiting. When we persist and endure, our faith is strengthened. We rest in knowing that joy waits for us and that some day we will be made whole with Jesus. God's grace grants us endurance for this turbulent and trying life journey--keep working to hold on to hope, to love, to Jesus.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! On a recent hike we came across this fence post that someone had tried several times to fix. It obviously hadn't worked as the fence rail was lying on the ground next to the post. How many times have we tried to fix things in our lives and they just don't quite work out the way we plan? When we try to repair our splintered lives alone the mends often don't hold. When we give our problems to God and let him work them out, let him rebuild and correct and improve them, the resolutions are good and right and lasting. Let the nails that Jesus endured for you be the fix that soothes and heals the broken places.

Upcycled Drawer Work Station

I have a hard time saying no when someone wants to give me something. So, when an acquaintance asked if I wanted an old, blonde, dresser with a mirror I said yes. This thing was beastly heavy, but I thought I might use it as a vanity in my bathroom. However, it sat and I decided to go a different route for a vanity. During a purge I decided to save the drawers and dump the rest. 

I repurposed two of the larger drawers to make a work station.

I have made these before, but I am always happy with the results and pleased with how versatile these are.

I painted the drawers red, yellow, green, and aqua. I sanded them a bit. After painting I added legs--1" x 4"s. I made a top from pallet wood, cutting the curve with a jigsaw and then attached it with hinges. I stained all of it and finished it with a clear coat.

This makes a fun bar station--storage for towels, glasses, wine bottle openers, etc. inside the top drawer. 

The bottom drawer is perfect for bottles, an ice bucket when not in use.

These upcycled drawers make a great office work station. I made it counter height and it is a perfect place to stand and work (or sit on a stool).

Books, files can be kept in the bottom drawer and office supplies in the top drawer.

Use it in an entryway or mudroom. 

Boots and shoes in the bottom, 

mittens and scarves in the top drawer and keep mail and keys on the top.

This piece would work great in a kitchen--keep a mixer, pressure cooker, air fryer, blender in the bottom. Store towels, cookbooks, extra serving bowls in the top. 

Or how about utilizing the work station for crafts--fabric, supplies in the top, sewing machine, etc. in the bottom with a perfect place to craft on the tabletop.

What ideas do you have for a piece like this?