Stencil A Herb Starter Garden Box

Do you ever spy something in someone else's cart at the thrift and think, "Darn, I would have grabbed that if I had seen it first,"? That is what I thought when I saw this green, wood box, basket, handled crate. 

When I saw the lady who had it put it back on the shelf, I snatched it up. With the plastic liner in it, I knew it would make a great seed planting starter box. 

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday and Happy Easter! I have reached that stage and age of life when I consider all of the other professions that I might have also enjoyed had I just realized it in my early twenties what I loved. One of those careers I now know I would have enjoyed was that of a botanist or arborist. I love trees and have been learning more about them. Did you know that trees help each other out, move, feed, and shelter each other? On one of our favorite walks there are numerous examples of a cedar and a white pine growing together. Two completely different species of trees happily sharing the same space, supporting and helping each other thrive, not competing. Jesus came to teach us about love and how to love each other above everything else. Jesus ALWAYS chose love and people before doctrine, before law, above differences and above sin. If we do not learn to love like God does, loving and helping people before worrying about differences and doctrine, we will not grow and thrive. Love first, love wholly, love without reserve and rules.

Using Eclectic Vintage Finds and Styling Open Shelving

I love the open shelving in my kitchen that sits on either side of our fridge. In the fall I showed you the side that is more visible (HERE), but I never shared the other side that is less visible and a bit less styled.

This side of the open shelving is where the coffee gets made and the microwave sits so it actually gets used every day. I have had fun collecting different vintage, eclectic, colorful items that I actually use.

Stencil a Simple Organic Coffee Sign

I couldn't wait to try and share Funk Junk's Old Sign Stencils newest design. So, even though today is Thursday, which means I usually share a thrift store project, I am sharing this easy stenciled ORGANIC COFFEE sign instead, It does have a thrift store frame that got for $2 specifically for this project, so it could still qualify as Thrifty Thursday project. 

An Old Bowl & How to Make Conversation Starters

To buy or not to buy, that is often the question when thrifting. Since I no longer have an antique booth, the answer has been no more often lately. I want to know how I am going to use something and I don't want a lot of seasonal decor that needs stored after the season is over. 

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Where are my dishwasher reloaders? I have been trying for years to train my husband how to load the dishwasher the right way--my way. It is one of those things that after almost 33 years of marriage, I have accepted is not going to change--he has his way and I have mine and that is okay. A few weeks ago I told you that I have been looking at verses on love. I think for years I have read this very first part of the Corinthians love verses as "love is patient WHILE I wait for you to change". The definition of patience is accepting problems and suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious, it doesn't mention altering behavior. Love is patient doesn't mean loving someone while we wait for them to change, but rather loving them as they are. God loves us just as we are. He is not sitting around waiting to love us more when we change. He cannot love us more than he already does. Let's practice patiently loving one another as we are, not holding back love until someone modifies their behavior into what we think it should be.

Martini Stand Made From Thrift Store Finds

You know how there are some things you never knew you "needed" until you see it? That's how it was for me when a friend recently posted a martini stand. 

Wait, what? A small stand that takes up very little space as it sits next to a chair or sofa holding drinks? Genius, and something I had never seen. Martini stands are on offshoot of cigarette stands that in the quite distant past where a staple in many homes, but are thankfully, rarely used any more. 

Spring Porch Decorating Ideas

Dare I say, spring is here? It feels like it here in my neck of the woods. I mean, I am sure we will still have snow and it is still below freezing at night. But, the sun is warm when it shines and the weather changes several times a day, which is always a sure sign of spring. 

My poor little porch has been bare since taking down my Christmas decor. The sunshine spurred me on to work on some simple spring decor for the front porch.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Love, a simple, four letter word that seems easy to say for most, but hard and confusing to practice. The bible says a lot about love and I am spending some time looking at and trying to learn how to better love from the many verses on it. The definition of love in Corinthians is widely known, and it sets up great standards, but it is also impossible for humans to consistently attain. What I think is less recognized in these verses, are the aspects of God's loving character. God's love does not have conditions, we do not need to earn it--it is patient and kind and humble. The fact that my faith all too often looks like me apologizing to God and feeling guilty for not trusting him or not having enough belief tells me that I do not fully grasp God's loving characteristics. He is not sitting around waiting to punish us, devising hoops for us to jump through so that he will love us more. When my limited thinking and human interpreted faith tells me differently, I am choosing to look to God's authentic nature and breathing in his unconditional love. 

Simple Spring Mantel

Happy March--it sure is coming in like a lamb and I am loving it. Sunshine and grass starting to green up meant it was time for some spring decor. A few simple changes and additions and my mantel is ready for all things spring.