Patience, Kerry, Patience!

I know all things happen when they are supposed to happen.  But sometimes it's easy for me to forget that. The house is still for sale.  There have been a few lookers, but no offers.  Of course, I think the house is perfect.  And, of course, I can't understand why others don't feel the same.

Patience is a virtue that I must continue to work to embrace.  There is a reason and a season for everything . . . this I know for sure!

Happy Weekend!

Give more than is expected, love more than seems wise, serve more than seems necessary and help more than is asked.
-Cory Booker


Enough said . . . 
HAPPY WEEKEND!

The Mantle

There are so many parts of my home that I love (my home that is still for sale by the way :(!)  My mantle is one of those true loves.  I take pride and great joy in decorating it with sweet finds that cost little to no money.  This mantle happens to hold bargains and treasures . . . I think it turned out beautifully.

From left to right:

• On a sweet miniature cake stand given to me by my mother (TREASURE) sits a clearance item (BARGAIN) floral piece from Marshalls.
• In front of the cake stand sits a small Hallmark plaque which was a 50% item (BARGAIN) that reads, "I don't know what the future holds but I know who holds the future".  
• Next to the cake stand is a tall, wooden vase from a surplus sale (BARGAIN) holding cool florals that were 75% off (BARGAIN) years ago at Pottery Barn.  
• The white pitcher sitting next to the vase is a wonderful heirloom from my mother (TREASURE) as well as the two round candle holders.  
• Behind the candle holders is a picture with one of my favorite Bible verses, "for with God all things are possible".  This was a sale item (BARGAIN) from Marshalls.
• Okay, so next to the bargain picture is a full price picture that was hand painted by a local artist is Chicago.  But, come on gals, it says "Home Sweet Home" and I simply couldn't resist.
• Finally, next to the non-treasure or bargain sits the pitcher and hydrangeas highlighted here: Sweet and Simple.

Could my mantle be more glamorous?  Of course it could.  But, for me . . . it's about the memories and the simplicity.  

What are your favorite ways to decorate your mantle?

A Find!

Sometimes it REALLY pays to get organized.  I was cleaning out my laundry room closet (more on that later) and found a hidden treasure.

I got this wood cleaner as part of a "FREE" kit when I bought many thousands of dollars along with my right arm and leg of furniture a few years ago.  I had no idea how fantastic it was.  Not that I am discounting the magic of my other brand name furniture cleaner.  But, this stuff is truly a miracle worker.

If you want to bring your old furniture back to life . . . then this can will be your best friend.  The three (but I like to make it four) step process is easy as pie.

1. Remove all knick knacks from furniture.
2. Spray small amount of wood cleaner on a soft rag and then wipe with the grain the entire piece of furniture.
3. Let dry and then reapply.
4. Stand back and smile at the results.

Give it a try.  I know you'll love it!  Happy cleaning!

Simple and Sweet

Three hydrangeas from the garden + 1 antique pitcher = Simple and Sweet

From the Heart

A forever student I will be . . . late last Spring I stumbled upon an opportunity that I had been needing.  A chance to learn the in's and the out's of this thing called blogging.  It was something I had always aspired to do, but fear kept me from doing it.  What do I have to share with others?  That was THE question that always prevented me from following this dream of mine.

HOLLY BECKER and her AMAZING colleagues from http://www.decor8blog.eclascom/ helped me to focus on what's POSSIBLE not IMPOSSIBLE.  When you look at her course outline it covers many key topics:

• Consistency
• Layout
• How to build a brand
• Growing your readership, etc., etc.

I would have expected those things from a blog course.  And, believe me, they were all VERY HELPFUL.  

However, for me the MOST important topics that were taught were MATTERS OF THE HEART.  These topics have turned out to be both BLOG LESSONS and LIFE LESSONS and for that my HEART will forever be grateful.  Holly and her colleagues reminded me that:

• I DO have something worth sharing if I share FROM THE HEART!
• LEAD WITH YOUR HEART and the rest will follow.
• Don't hold back, let your readers see what your HEART LOVES.
• Be original.  Be MYSELF.  
• Be honest and true to ME.  Don't focus on what I think my readers or readers to come want to read.  Write and share from the HEART.

So many great tidbits that will forever inspire me both on and off the blog.  

I can only imagine what this wonderful world of ours might be like if we all followed these lessons every minute of every day.  God did indeed create each of us as unique and wonderful beings.  As individuals we have much to offer in our corner of the world.  We just have to be bold, be strong, and be brave as we move forward in BLIND FAITH.  

And that is what I shall do . . . 

With a grateful HEART I say thanks to HOLLY and her amazing team!