:: Lenten journey

Today marks the first full week of Lent, and I've missed you guys. I've been focusing on getting my priorities in order once again, sometimes I need a little refreshing and there is no better time than Lent to begin new practices. This 40 days has me putting Christ back in the center of my life where he belongs, therefore, some things have fallen to the wayside, including getting here to blog. I'm slowly working all the extras back into my routine, but I really needed to get centered in my spirit first, before adding in some of my my worldly pleasures. Nothing makes me happier or feel better than being centered in Christ.

I'm not sure if it's really appropriate or not to share one's Lenten plan, or if anyone really cares, but I think it can be helpful, especially if you are still thinking on and trying to make adjustments to your own plans. I personally think it's inspiring and I like to hear what others are doing to strengthen their journey with Christ, I may find something I want to do on my next Lenten journey. I'm reading in my Lenten journal that this week is a time to reflect and re-evaluate our Lenten plans, to see how things are working out and make adjustments if needed. I personally like the idea of adding things rather than the fasting and taking away, even though I try to do both. There are so many things I don't have the strength to do on my own, and Lent is such a great time to let Christ build me up and strengthen me. I keep coming back to my word Embrace, as I embrace the practices that will strengthen me in my walk with Christ, and therefore in my life.

I have chosen to give up sweets, because I've never met a piece of cake I didn't like. It's very hard for me to pass up dessert...only through HIM can I ever find this kind of strength. I'm also making sure to spend my time with HIM in his WORD each and every day first thing, no excuses. Nothing else can get in the way of this time. This is my favorite thing, and sometimes the most challenging because I can be easily distracted with the business of life. I have often let these things get in the way of my walk instead of the other way around. My house can wait, my strength in the Lord & my salvation cannot. I've struggled with this in the past, I always want this to be the norm for me but in all honesty I've failed miserably over and over. So pray for me please. Another thing that I'm trying to do is work out on a more regular basis as I often lack in motivation. However, I'm finding it much more difficult to talk myself out of it when I know I'm doing it for Christ. I keep telling myself I'm building up my body to be a soldier for Christ, and then I put on my workout clothes and get to it. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me....and that's just the truth.

I hope this post finds you well.

If you have any Lenten practices that you would like to share I would love to hear about them.

I also want to sincerely thank each and every one of you who visits me here, I really do enjoy chatting with you via e-mails, and I always appreciate your kind comments and support.

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

:: blog evolution

The many looks my blog has had since it's beginnings. Sometimes the hardest thing about blogging can be deciding on a blog design that works & represents you and your content. As a designer, I find coming up with designs for myself more difficult than it would be for someone else....hence my many different looks. Finally though I think I've settled on one I can be happy with for a while anyway...until the desire for change hits again. The greatest thing about blogging is the evolution, it's fun to look back and see where you've come from & how your blog evolves over time, just like we do.  

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

:: first snow

The kids were beginning to think it would never come, but finally here it is on the 19th of February, my daughter's 18th birthday we get our first snow of the season. The kids were so excited they couldn't wait to get out this morning...it's not a lot, but it's snow & they are out of school what more can a kid ask for. Sadly it's already melting away & as I take these shots the water is gushing through the gutters, so I'm afraid this one will be very short lived. Hopefully we'll get another soon, we have been known to get snow into March in the past so we're all crossing our fingers. I would be happy with one that keeps us snowed in for about two days, then melts away because by then I would be missing my quiet house {*wink}.

Libby enjoying her first snow ever, it scared her at first, she didn't know what to think of this white stuff all over the ground...too funny.

Maybe later I'll bundle up and sit by a little fire and let the spotted dog play, but for now I'm off to enjoy some coffee & quiet while the kids play outside.

Hope you are having a wonderful Monday : )

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

:: another dreamy kitchen

{via}

Another dreamy kitchen, love the mix of paint colors & finishes.

What catches your eye?

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

:: common thread

{via}

{via}

{via}

What do all of these spaces have in common?

One thing is that each one speaks to me. 

I'm interested to hear your idea of the common thread.

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

:: dream kitchen

{via}

Happy Friday dear friends, I found this image this morning while perusing the internet & my heart skipped a beat. I do believe this would be the kitchen of my dreams. There are so many things I love about it....like....the ceiling beams, they've always been on my mind as an addition to my current kitchen. All of those great vintage chairs snugged up to the long farm table {sigh}, and those pendants {swoon} love them. I especially like the missing cabinetry and the simplicity of the storage at least on this side of the room, maybe it's on the other side who knows. I like the large range & hood. I really like the decor & styling, that vintage birdhouse, letter S, and the wooden crate were the first things to catch my eye. So, how about you? Is there anything you like about this kitchen? What was the first thing to catch your eye?

Okay, I'll leave you with those questions for now. I'm off to finish putting the kids bedrooms back together, since I took a break to tackle my studio while the painters were here. I can't wait to share them with you to see what you think.

Happy Weekend

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

:: studio organization

Well hello there, I've been trying to get this post done for two days now, but things just keep coming up & I haven't been able to sit at my computer for more than a couple of minutes. So seems like today is finally the day that I get to share my organized studio with you. My whole house is under the gun when it comes to de-cluttering, and my studio was high on the list. I finally took a break from the other rooms to tackle this project so I thought I would share with you. I'm so excited to see the surface of my desks that words can't even explain. See that tufted chair, that tufted chair is for visitors, won't you come and have a cup of coffee or tea & knit & chat with me, I would love to have you now that my room is presentable.

Here's where you'll find me. Rocking away with my coffee by my side & my knitting needles clacking. Look at my bookcases would you, I totally reorganized them....again.

This seems to be an ongoing thing with me, the organization of my studio. I'm hoping this time I've found the formula that will stick. I purchased these kraft paper photo boxes from Michael's to organize all of my supplies a little better. Before I had things in miscellaneous tins & cracker jars....I like this way much much better, it's all nice & neat and labeled too, be still my organizing heart. The boxes are on sale right now 50% off, so if you choose to go get some I thought I would share my labels with you here

 

Call me crazy, but I have my yarns organized by the colors that can be seen & their surroundings. I have the neutrals on the bookshelf closest to the french doors because they work with the rest of the house when you look into the room from the hallway. I have the greens, yellows, reds & oranges closest to the windows and the yellow chairs because they work with the artwork & furniture on that side of the room. Everything else is in the middle, and I guess they work with the rest of the artwork in the room....folks, this is how my mind works when I organize...crazy huh.

This is the view above the desks, a collection of vintage & some of my own artwork...mostly thrift store finds, I love old oil paintings & paint by numbers. My colored pencils, pens, & paintbrushes are on the left shelf, and all of my buttons & baubles are on the right shelf.

This is my working corner, not too terribly long ago I rearranged the room and put my round table in the corner which I'm now using as my computer/work area, now both desks are open for drawing & crafting. So, just envision me in this chair right now.

I hope you've had a wonderful week. I hope to share more of my organizing adventures with you in the near future. Here's a look at all the stuff I purged from my house today. Not including about 5 more bags of trash. Say it with me....NO MORE HOARDING. I can't tell you how good it feels to be rid of this excess stuff.

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

:: a finch & painters

{ female house finch...Carpodacus Mexicanus }

Happy Monday friends. It's a sunshiney but very cold day here. I have painters coming and going today, so hopefully soon I'll share the reveal of my son & daughter's new rooms. I'm very excited about the changes. I'm not so excited about having to put everything back together again, my house is an utter disaster zone right now & quite honestly it stresses me out. I'm one of those that can only live with clutter and chaos for so long before I go nuts...I like things clean & orderly...everything needs to have a place.

I snapped the photo above from my kitchen window, the background color is so pretty, but it's not sky. I think it's my driveway in the background, not sure how it came out that way but I think it's lovely. The bent branch gets on my nerves a little but this is the way it came out of my camera, no photoshopping here, though if i did I would probably remove it....just because I'm a little bit of a perfectionist. I need to practice my word embrace, and embrace life's little imperfections....including my chaotic, disaster of a home. For my sanity anyway.

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

:: pillow-palooza

Well hello there, long time no see. I've been so busy the past few days that I haven't been able to get here, and right now I'm so tired I can hardly hold my eyes open. We've had so much going on lately I don't even know where to start.

How about this, I just ordered one of the pillows above for my son's bedroom makeover. Which one would you pick for a twelve year old boys bedroom?  I have some big changes going on right now and I can't wait to share them with you, but for now I'm exhausted & I'm going to let you ponder pillows. Which one is your favorite?  All of the pillows can be found in my ETSY favorites here. 

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

:: farm obsession

Happy Friday friends. Whew has this week been a whirlwind of activities for my family, and I'm so glad the weekend is upon us. Just thought I would share a few shots from the farm yesterday, as I continue with my farm obsession. Farms really are such beautiful places. The sweet gum balls hanging like nature's ornaments are what caught my eye in my first shot yesterday. As I stood inside of the stables looking out the beauty of the dark tree against the pastures spoke to me and I had to snap. The other shots are from inside of the stables. Well except the old drill, that one is in my house....it just fit in with the series so I thought I would include it...it looks like something that you'd find on a farm anyway. I'm excited to say that I'm going to get out today and do a little antiquing and thrifting with my mother, it's been forever...I've kinda been avoiding my little addiction. I know that my soul will be soothed when it takes in a little antique goodness, I really do just enjoy looking.

Of course we're getting ready for the Super Bowl this weekend also, so tomorrow will be a big clean day to get the house ready.  "Are you ready for some Football"?  Do you have any big Super Bowl plans? We're having some friends over for the big event including lots of healthy snacking you know ; ).

My family is pulling for the Patriots....How about you, who are you pulling for?

Have a great weekend!

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

:: open lines

As a blogger, maintaining an open line of communication between my readers and myself is very important to me, so when I ran across this post by Erin of Chaotic Life of a Single Woman, I felt it was worth re-sharing. Erin's information was originally gathered from Tiffany at The Nest Effect about "blog comments".

Your comments are so very important to me, please take a moment to read one of these posts. They share with you how to make sure that your e-mail is available in your google profile,  allowing me to respond to your comments by e-mail. After all you've taken the time to leave me a sweet comment or ask a question, and I want to be able to respond to you with my sincere thanks, or with an answer to your questions or comments.

Your comments are the life line of my blog. I enjoy reading each & every one & for me they make blogging worthwhile. I truly value your honest opinions and support. At the very least I want to let you know how much I appreciate you, so thank you for taking the time to comment.

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie