I simply remember my favorite things…Friday’s Favs…I’m lovin’ some living room changes

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about my new wood floors, my new beachy gray colored walls, and my new clearance priced $26 trunk from Ross that replaced the all too formal coffee table, which was a set with the end tables you see in this photo…

 

 

I never did love those tables, you know?  (I went through a season of doubting my own homey informal tastes, which I would say is country/beach cottage/farmhouse.  I ended up with all too much of what I call department store decor.)  So, I decided to put the set of tables for sell on Craigslist and try something different.  The blue leather sofa and chair were an investment, are really comfy, and leather is very easy to keep clean with grandbabies around, so they are staying.  The lamps got a paint job and new shades, which you can read about in yesterday’s blog.  I have an antique library table that’s a family heirloom so that is staying as well.  I found one end table at TJ Maxx that had a much more cottage-y informal feel, and was a GREAT price, so I snatched it up.  Then I took a little blue dresser that has been around my house forever and ever, and oldest granddaughter and I took it out on the back deck one summer evening, and sanded away until it looks, as she said, “like it has been in a ship wreck”.

 

I feel like things are coming together, and I’m lovin’ it!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Elizabeth

 

Today I’m linkimg here~

The Inspired Room

and

Lamp transformation…

I did it!  Me, the clutziest painter ever got my courage up and just went for it.  Using Krylon Satin Nickel spray paint, and some new white lampshades, (only $2.99 apiece at Ross!), I changed these all too formal looking lamps…

 

 

   into something much more compatible with my new “cottage-y” style decor.

 

Tomorrow I’ll show you what I did when I decided to say “bye-bye” to those all too formal looking end tables!

 

Still following,

Elizabeth

Today I’m linking here~

 

 

Rest…

Sometimes I avoid Him.  I put off entering His presence until I feel more acceptable…until I’ve got my spiritual self together more.  Other times I breeze right into His throne room, proud of myself.  I’m on a roll, a good streak, I’ve been good.  I know better, but I still feel like He likes me better, will hear my prayers more, on the days I have my act together. Both scenarios are flawed, both based on the crumbling foundation of self righteousness and works, both rooted in pride.

 

There is no one good enough, no not one.  Not even me.  No matter how consistent I am in spiritual disciplines, how selfless in acts of service, how fervent in prayer I am still undeserving of His great love and grace.  And yet He loves me…lavishly, extravagantly, overwhelmingly, perfectly, unchangingly, on my best days and on my worst days.  In this truth, I find rest.

 

 

Still following,
Elizabeth

Snippets from vacation…

“Honey, wake up!  The alarm didn’t go off”  We had less than five minutes before our predawn ride to the airport would arrive…barely time to brush our teeth and throw on some clothes. As I waited to board our plane I found myself wishing for a t-shirt printed with the words, “I usually look better than this!”  The other thing that really bothered me was leaving the house with the bed unmade.  The first thing I did when we landed in L.A. was call our house sitter and explain why…yep.

We  drove from L.A. to Palm Springs.  Yes, it’s true.  This beach lovin’ lady LOVES the desert and the heat.

  Six summers ago we ended up here when a hurricane messed up our vacation plans to go to the Gulf Coast.  We’ve been back to Palm Springs every summer since.

Hubby seemed awfully chatty with the guy at the rental car counter.  As we walked out to the car he explained that for just a wee bit more money, he had rented a Mustang convertible. (When we first started dating he owned a 66 Mustang convertible…we’ve never stopped regretting selling it.  Oh the things you do to pay for college!) Hubby grins like a school boy in this car.

Laying by the pool in the therapeutic dry heat, I soon dozed off.  In my stupor I felt something in my swimsuit top and slapped at it…seems it was a bee, who took its revenge by stinging me on the, uhhh, sensitive upper body region.

The night ended with a local fireworks display.  We sat in the car, the top down, and watched.

I slept 10 hours last night…ten!  I am typing this on the patio of the timeshare condo, after starting the day out here with coffee, Bible and journaling.  Happy, happy!

    Hubby is wanting me to finish so we can go walking. See you all later!

Happy Tuesday!

Elizabeth

 

I’m linking here today~

Tuesday Unwrapped at Chatting at the Sky

Thankful for freedom…

I am writing this late on the fourth of July…soon to pass midnight and be the fifth of July.  The neighbors are still celebrating with fireworks, loud fireworks!

We had a wonderful fourth of July. We had church, followed by a church picnic.  This morning my husband’s message was about the faith of those who founded our nation.  At one point he read the Declaration of Independence, and stated that after the Declaration freedom still had to be fought for.  He went on to say that we have to be vigilant to maintain freedom.

As he spoke, I took those truths to heart for more than just our nation.  What he said is certainly true for me.  God has brought me freedom and liberty in so many areas in my life.  In most cases, it wasn’t something instantaneous at an altar, it was a process as I grew in my relationship with Him, and as I renewed my mind with His truth.  Even now, I have to be vigilant to stay free.  Sloppy, slothful living is an open door for me to slip right back into old ways of thinking, reacting and responding.

Grumbling, murmuring, complaining, ingratitude, are all chains of bondage that I don’t want. Today, I celebrate my independence, and continue to give thanks…

Continuing gratitude list #481-492

-new faces at church

-familiar faces at church

-an evening walk

-going to see Mom at her new assisted living home, and finding her gone on an outing, getting involved with the people and activities there

-Middle Eastern turkey burgers…yum!

-backyard s’mores

-blue, cloudless skies

-oldest granddaughter helping me with house decor projects

-hubby and I making strawberry jam together

-celebrating the fourth of July with our church family

-all of the wonderful church members who work night and day for a week at our firework’s tent to raise money for youth camp

-a friend at church who helped me figure out more things with my new camera

 

Gratefully yours,

Elizabeth

Dear new followers and subscribers…

I’ve had a few new followers and subscribers lately.  My heart goes pitter patter with excitement every time that happens.  To me it’s equivalent to having someone say, “let’s be friends!”.  I’ve tried to link back and comment on your blogs and say welcome, but some of you don’t have blogs or contact information.  This is my way to say welcome, if I haven’t been able to already.

I hope you will enjoy my blog enough to stick around, and maybe even recommend it to some of your friends.  My desire is for this to be a place where, together, we can follow Jesus in our real lives. (I write about everything from Bible study and prayer to photography, cooking, home decor, marriage and family, fitness…I’m not a very good niche blogger I guess.) I love the fact that Jesus followers from all over are able to connect via blogging.  I am so grateful for the blog friends I have met in the year that I’ve been here.

I love to hear from you, so feel free to add comments.  I want to get to know you better.

Let’s be friends!

Elizabeth

Closing with a little red, white and blue, just for you!

I simply remember my favorite things…Friday’s Favs…I’m lovin’ red, white and blue!

My daddy was a Yankee Doodle Dandy, born on the fourth of July.  Fourth of July when I was young meant Mama’s fried chicken, potato salad, an icy cold watermelon, and for Daddy’s birthday, Mama’s German Chocolate Cake.  With seven kids, you didn’t go spending money on fireworks that are gone in a flash- literally.  Sparklers were all we got…but we thought they were pretty great.  Our small town had an evening fireworks display at the local baseball field.  One “exciting” fourth of July, all of the fireworks caught fire and began to go off all at once, some aiming for us spectators in the bleachers as we all scrambled for cover!

I feel a bit sorry for kids nowadays.  We live in a cynical, disillusioned world.  When I was in school we learned the Pledge of Allegiance and took its words seriously.  We honored the flag.  We sang all the patriotic songs, even “God bless America”, in public school.  We were raised to be patriotic.  Now, many of today’s children don’t know what it means to be proud to be an American.  Many aren’t even taught the flag salute, the national anthem, or other patriotic songs. Many don’t know the great foundations our nation was built upon.  I know our country has issues, but in spite of its problems, I love our country.  I pray that God will bless America and shed His grace on her.

  

 

 

 

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!

HAVE A WONDERFUL, BLESSED, FOURTH OF JULY!

Elizabeth

I’m linking here today~