Lighten up!

 

There's just something about gray winter days

that make me look around and want to add a little light.

 

 I decided to brighten an old pair of lamps I haven't used in several years.

(just in case I completely ruined them!)

I mixed together an antique white paint with a small amount of antiquing glaze,

then dry brushed the entire surface, after, I lightly rubbed several spots with a soft cloth 

before the paint mixture had dried- giving them a touch of an aged patina look.

 

I placed them in a "darker" spot, in hopes they would help lighten things a bit...

 

 

and I do think they helped!

How about you, do you tend to want to "lighten" things during the gray winter days too? 

Wishing you a bright-light-filled day!

love & blessings!

Jill

Just ANOTHER {really} random Monday...

 

I can't believe Thanksgiving is already here!!- THIS week!

I'm not sure I'm ready!  Are you? 

 

We have another birthday in the house this week!!

My Thanksgiving baby- Princess #1! 

 

Winston is getting so big!

Have you seen the movie "Marley & Me"?-

Winston IS "Marley & Me part 2"!

He is such a sweet dog- BUT, ALWAYS. HAS. SOMETHING. IN. HIS. MOUTH.!-

which always leads to something torn apart!

 

I made a little "scrappy-chic" tassel from a few fabric strips,

tied together with a pretty velvet ribbon and a vintage rhinestone pin,

then hung with a loop of burlap.

 

I also made a trip to the E.R. with precious little Princess #2-

Bless her sweet heart, not the birthday present she had in mind,

a head full of stitches- she has been so brave! (and I have been worried sick!)

 

and this horse gives new meaning to a "mud bath"!-

clearly he just took one! (he used to be white!)

 

Sunday night dessert was pumpkin pie!

recipe can be found here (and I still make it the "wrong" way)

Speaking of pie, the American Pie Council and Crisco found that people who liked

certain pies described themselves in the same words. Here are some popular pies-

and the traits of people who love them!

Apple- independent, realistic, & compassionate

Pecan- thoughtful & analytical

Chocolate- loving

Pumpkin- funny & independent

What's your favorite pie?

I like them all!- and I like how that describes me! :)

Guess that goes to show you, sometimes too much of a good thing IS a good thing!

Happy Monday!

Many Blessings,

Jill

Good news for girls!!

EVERY girl is a princess, the daughter of a King...

the greatest King who created and rules over everything! 

Isn't that good news?!!

(Psalm 47:2, Psalm 103:19)

 

I decided to create a little something bearing this good news for Princess #1...

 

a little "thoughtful gift"...

 

hung in her room with another simple hoop I created for her...

my prayer is that she will always remember,

on good days and not so good days,

just how very special she is and that God will always love her.

She is God's little princess!

(Psalm 139:13-14)

 

that is also my prayer for ALL girls!

Isn't that just a wonderful thought to treasure in our hearts always?!

We are His little princess'! {no matter our size or age :)!}

Happy Monday!

love & blessings!

Jill

happy "little things"...

 

a little rainbow of glitter on my desk...

 

a little painting created by Princess #1...

 a little surprise gift from a precious friend...

(that I just looooove!)

 

a little line-up of Spring polish...

(our favorites! by Essie, from left to right)

Sand Tropez, Turquoise + Caicos, Ballet Slippers, Coral Reef, Nice is Nice

 

a little spot of favorites in the bookshelf...

 

a little face that just melts your heart!...

 

Princess #2's dream-come-true-

"Winston"!

 he joined our family this past weekend

and has us all a bit smitten!

 What's on your happy "little things" list right now?

Oh, please do share!

love & blessings!

Jill

Views from where I lay...

 

it seems a kidney stone has decided now would be a good

time to move (must be the theme for the year- move!)

 

so, I decided while I'm just laying here...

-which is NOT my favorite thing to do!-

I'll share a few random thoughts and photos from the new house-

from where I'm laying, on the couch, in the family room!

Did ya'll notice I wouldn't let them put the T.V. above the fireplace?

I was thinking I didn't want it to be the "main" focal point...

guess that didn't work out too well!- I bet your eyes went straight to

that large black box!-*please note however,  it is not on while I'm laying here!

(I'm not a huge fan of T.V.,  are you?)

 

my trusty sidekick Odie is laying in here too!

   His "downstairs bed" is kept right here in the family room-

He's never far from anyone who isn't feeling well, He's such a sweet dog!

 

I'm not sure if you can tell in this picture or not?...

but all the ceilings in the house are painted the palest blue,

I have done this in most of our homes- "nothing but blue skies" for this girl!

It just casts such a lovely glow in the home!

I chose chandeliers for every room in the house- I LOVE beautiful lighting!- 

it's like "jewelry" for your home!

Can you guess which room my husband "drew the line"

on my chandelier love?  yep! this one!...

now that I'm laying here though, I'm thinking I REALLY would like to replace

that fan with another chandelier!- we''ll see.

 

and of course on the coffee table you'll find a large glass of water-not coffee!

I've been drinking lots and lots of water,

hoping and praying this kidney stone will move on out!- quickly!

I've also been enjoying perusing through some of my favorite magazines and books!

Ya'll do know about Amy Powers amazing e-books (and now hard copies too!)

"Inspired Ideas"? Oh! there are such a delight! A true treat!

 

I brought my "stitching bag" down too,

hoping to work on a few little projects, but haven't felt well enough right now-

maybe tomorrow...

 for now though, I'm just content laying here- and not in the hospital-(thankfully!) 

focusing on just how beautiful life really is-

even when things don't go according to your plans!

Goodness! I think this might be the longest post I've ever written!

 Thank ya'll for enduring my random ramblings and little tour!

You are too sweet!

I hope you have a wonderful day!

 lots of love & blessings!

Jill

"A Moving Story" Chapter 6: It's Beginning to Look Alot Like...

a real house!

one that will soon become a "home"...

the trim is being added...one of my favorite parts!

I just love window sills! don't you?- the perfect little spot for a posy or two...

the doors are going up...

outside is beginning to take shape as well...

I can hardly wait to enjoy a fire on the back porch,

 maybe even roast a few marshmallows-

I love the ones that get burned on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth on the inside! yum!

part of the driveway and sidewalks have been poured...

and I almost forgot!- the animal's house...

it's coming right along too...

Princess #1 & #2 are beyond excited to have their horses "just out the backdoor"!

and I think we will all enjoy our new "homes"...

maybe in January?

Hoping your weekend is simply wonderful!

Many Blessings!

Jill

an *UNexpected* break...

*quite literally!*

littlest Princess #2 was in a frightening accident with her horse a few weeks ago...

while she has been on-the-mend,

she has been working on her little Christmas gifts...

and in-between Doctor's appointments, basketball practices and games,

football workouts, a-million-and-one-home building decisions, birthday parties,

celebrating Thanksgiving, out-of-town company visiting, Christmas shopping,

cleaning up after septic tank back-ups in the house we are renting TWICE!,

desperately trying to catch-up and respond to all the *overwhelmingly* kind emails I have received-

so sorry if yours is one I have not yet reached! - I promise I'll be there soon!

AND replacing the dead battery in my car-( which died at football pick-up),

I have also been working on a few Christmas gifts!

(which I hope to share soon)

but mostly I have been counting my Blessings that with His mercy and grace

I am able to celebrate the wonder of this glorious season...

the birth of our Saviour!...

even with broken things and exhausting schedules!

Many Blessings!

Jill

just a thought...

"Thankfulness...

the soil where joy grows."

Have a wonderful weekend!

Many Blessings!

Jill

"A Moving Story" Chapter 5: Windows, Doors, & White- Oh My!

This post is dedicated to my Mom,

who taught me by great example

the true art of making a house a home!

Happy, Happy Birthday Mom!!!

(wish I could be there today!)

All my love!

xoxo,

Jill

they have been busy at the farmhouse...

adding windows,

(I'm so excited!- this little room will be my new studio,

I can hardly wait to begin creating up here!)

and doors...

and more doors!...

AND the outside is becoming white!- Oh my!

A longtime dream come true,

a white farmhouse!

Looking so forward to "moving day"!-

perhaps Christmas?

Happy Monday!

Many Blessings!

Jill