Lovely Monday

Lovely Dining.

Lovely Living.

Lovely Cuisine.

Lovely Dreaming .

Lovely, lovely Monday.

All images, here.

Rare & Beautiful Treasures

A friend made my morning by sending me the link to this Etsy shop which sells beautiful Christian art, including the above piece for which I named this blog! I don't know this artist, but I think it is just so cool that we both love the Lord and are sisters in Christ. A happy Friday morning, indeed.

Dream Property

What is your dream property?

Beach-side mansion?

Renovated Victorian?

Mountain house?

Mine is a house in the country on a good chunk of acreage.

This home, well "farm", which I stumbled on at Architectural Digest absolutely fits the bill for my dream country home. Of course, a lot of other homes would fit the bill as well-that is the beauty of houses, they are like ice cream flavors, you can never have enough variety!

This property had me at the white picket fence, but the sheep in the last photo sealed the deal. Did I mention that my dream country property includes sheep? Blame it on The Thorn Birds or my all-time favorite movie, Cold Mountain (I also want to name the baby Inman, but Mr. Marvelous is not having it!)

Click here for the renovation story behind this lovely country estate.

Prescription for "Morning" Sickness

1. Bottomless glass of ginger ale

2. Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken on DVD

3. One Mr. Marvelous, willing to make grocery store runs for no. 1 and to sit through and feign interest in no. 2

Random ramblings on an otherwise queasy Saturday night,

Have Yourself a Merry Little Weekend

And for a little end of the week indulgence, check out my latest blog obsession for eye candy and all around country and fashion loveliness! Emersonmade.

I Have a Porch and a Dream

When we built the "new old" house the house plans included a small wrap-around porch. It was actually more of a front porch with a small 3' lip around the corner to give the effect of a wrap-around porch. I really wanted the real thing, a full-on wrap-around porch. Imagine pitchers of lemonade, rocking chairs, ceiling fans and porch swing: I did. It was a battle with the builder but we did end up with our wrap-around porch!

Confession? We never use it.

Criminal, I know. But there is this funny thing about outdoor furniture-it's as costly as the indoor stuff if not more so! Jeepers! So two summers have (nearly) come and gone in the house and our porch has sat untouched. It is most definitely on my list of things to work on in the future, and what is a house if not an ongoing project and labor of love?

In the meantime I'm continually inspired by photos like these from House Beautiful of outdoor spaces that could rival any indoor living room.

Someday I am going to share pictures with you of our furnished wrap-around porch! It just might be several summers down the road . . .

First Nursery Purchase!

In an effort to get my mind off my ever-present nausea, Mr. Marvelous and I went to a local antique store this weekend and picked up this fabulous little armoire for the nursery! I'm just in love with it! I planned on priming and painting it white but the bright funky blue is sort of growing me! Thoughts on this??

Close up of the great carved woodwork.

To Everything there is a Season

I was in my garden tonight for the first time in weeks.

During the fifth week of my pregnancy I experienced complications that put me on bed rest for what seemed like a long, long time. My midwife specifically instructed: “I do not want you gardening.”

Ouch.

Therefore, what lay waiting in my garden tonight was untended and eager for care. What started out as sprouts this past spring have become tall and unruly plants in mid August. I pulled weeds with my back to the evening sun and let the water from the sprinkler just barely touch the back of my neck. Hands in the dirt, watching out for hornets I have seen on occasion, I was once again overwhelmed by my garden and how it is the essence of life. All of life, right there, in my 8’x40’ flower bed.

As I wrote here this past spring, I spent days preparing the soil before I started to plant. The quality of the soil most often determines the fate of what is planted. Even within the smallest seed lies the potential for growth, the road map of every color and bloom and shape and scent. Drop a seed in a bunch of clay and you will likely stunt its growth from lack of nutrients and oxygen. But plant a seed in good soil and the seed is properly nurtured and fed. It will go on "to produce a crop a hundred times greater than what is sown." Luke 8:8 Submerge your heart and your mind on the word of God, for it is good soil. May you grow and evolve into the magnificent color and scent that your Holy Father mapped in your inner most being before you were born.

Do not be surprised when droughts come. Even in the best soil, plants will have days where the sun bears down and the soil cracks dry and the winds blow and threaten the survival of what has been sown. Fear not, for the rains will come. Even in the midst of the Sahara, eventually, the rainy season comes. I promise you that the longer you wait for that rain, the more parched your soul, the sweeter that rain will be when it comes. And yes, it will come.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the weeds. They will grow around you and may overwhelm you, but eventually they will be plucked out. Dig your roots deeper, grow taller toward the sun, and wait for the season of pruning.

Yes, the pruning. Sometimes you will need to be cut back. For seasons change and flowers that bloom will always fade and droop. It is only by cutting those flowers back that they have the chance to bloom again. It is so hard to let go of what was, especially when what was was particularly beautiful. But have faith, loss is real but resurrection and rebirth are the truest truths. Don’t take your eyes off the truth for one second. "The flowers fall, but the Word of God remains forever." Isaiah 40:8. The blooms fade and are cut back and cast away so that new growth may come or a new season may begin. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

So plant your seed in good soil. Dig your roots down deep with confidence-within you lies the map of the gorgeous bloom, the lovely scent, that only He knows. When the sun grows hot and the wind blows, don’t despair, wait on the Lord. For your Father in Heaven will again pour down blessings upon you. The longer the drought, the sweeter the rain.

Do not let yourself feel forgotten, for He designed you to do great things, He planted you with His own hands, and He will not forget His creation. And when weeds rise up around you, wait for the pruning that is sure to come. Mourn that which is lost, for there is always a time to cry. Ecclesiastes 3:4 Tears will draw you closer to the Lord. Draw yourself to His lap as a lamb to the Shepherd. Then prepare yourself for the glory of the newness to come.

For it surely will.

Priceless.

Time in which I have been married to Mr. Marvelous: 6 years, 7 months, and 7 days.

Time in which I’ve been daydreaming about having a baby with Mr. Marvelous:

(at least) 6 years, 7 months, and 7 days.

Time since we were told we might not be able to have children of our own: 1 year, 4 months, and 10 days.

Having a God who answers prayers and exceeds my wildest dreams: PRICELESS.

For this child I prayed;

and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

1 Samuel 1:27
source
We are exceedingly joyful to announce that Baby Marvelous is due in March!!!!

(And that plans for the nursery are already underway! :) )

Speaking of Charm

How charming is this bathroom? Small on space, big on vintage style and charm.

Layered towels for visual interest and soft texture.

I am absolutely in love with the fabric of this custom shower curtain. The addition of the valance makes it extra special.

Polished Chrome Faucets

Love the way this vintage sink is set into furniture. The separate hot and cold faucets remind me of my Grandparent's 1910s home that I visited growing up.

Photos and details from here.

Stay tuned for "Adding Charm to Your Home Part II," I'm glad that the first Part was such a hit!