Happy Days After Christmas & Merry Rest of the New Year!

 

As Christmas with its wings flew by this year….me hanging on as usual for dear life, I really tried to take it day by meaningful day!!  But yet again, I feel that little twinge of letdown, thinking about someone I missed getting to see, time spent on unnecessary things, and just the usual regret that it is already over. 

It happens every year as I start to dismantle the mantle and every other inch of this Old Charlton House…she looks so pretty in her Christmas finery!  I didn’t even get a chance to share her outfit with you, so here are a few shots of her dressed for the season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And as I do the dismantling, I always get a little melancholy….especially when January begins with dreary, drizzly, overcast skies! 

But two things inspired me yesterday as God’s sun peaked out just a tad, 

this post and must read by Chance Scoggins

~ Please take the time ~ 

http://www.chancescoggins.com/the-unwritten-page 

 

and this beautiful song by Matthew West ~ Day After Christmas from The Heart Of Christmas, just perfect!

If you haven't pressed play above....you should!

 

 The light of the world is still here, no Christmas lights required....

Merry Joyfull New Year! , b

With Joy in my Heart....Let the puzzles begin!

Pumpkins packed, candy culled (well...eaten) and cobwebs cleaned out, literally!

Christmas music in its rightful place in the old cabinet…yes I still play CD’s, old girl, no new tricks!

 

 

I know, I know, it’s just Thanksgiving time, and I have so very much to be thankful for this year.
St. Philip's not commuting, Boys all good, 3rd Grandbabe on the way and the Old Charlton house is still mine!

 

God is great! 

Thanking Him for sure that I still have a week or 2 before the Annual 7thJoy Trunk Show…

 

 

Let the puzzles begins…looking for just the right piece, like colors and shapes, this goes with that or that with this…I just love a good Christmas puzzle, decorating that is!  What can I do different this year; you know how sometimes you can fit a piece in where it really wasn’t intended to go….but somehow it works?   Well I get overjoyed when that happens! 

 

 Just a peek of some of our Trunk Show wares.

 

Joyfully separating all my puzzle pieces, no straight edges here!!!!!!!!!

In God's gracious care, b

Breathing Again...

                                                                                                         Play the music if you please>>>>>>>

I’ll spare you the details, but the Shaw family has come through yet another “transition” with God’s grace!  As if it wasn’t enough to be sending one son off to college, moving the youngest to a new high school, putting the “Old Charlton House” on the market, etc…..
St. Philip is back in town.  No more commuting, hallelujah!  And back to work, Amen!

As I sit quietly in my office, comfychairinthelivingroomwithlaptopanddeanmartinmusac…

I am again reminded of God’s provision. Breathing in the quiet of this old house and the gift of setting my own schedule whether work or play, back to my blessed normal!

And of course making my list and checking it twice, but then I realize!

It’s mid-September already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why is it that the month of September always catches me by surprise?  I’m sweating through the summer thinking I have so much time before the fall rush starts, aimlessly sauntering back into a scheduled routine, then bam!  August rushes out the door, September sneaks in and the panic creeps in.

 

OMgoodness, the holidays are approaching!  Ideas abound, homes need refreshing, the workroom gets busy, appointment book fills…..and so it goes!!

And just in case you were wondering, the 7thJoy Trunk-work has begun as well.  Little tiny creatures have a bold winter coat and wait to be placed on one of our special gifts of the season.

 

Robin is somewhere near Nova Scotia as I write, on her last hoorah before the hours of joyful creation take over our lives and minds.  



On the road, longest covered bridge in the world... Hartland, New Brunswick

 

Praying for safe travels for her…for several reasons, but most importantly, I can’t do this thing alone.  Each year, we question our sanity, taking so much on during the holiday season, and each year we spend a couple of spring days discussing whether to commit to another Trunk Show or just commit each other!  

And our crazy selves always come around to the final decision, why not?…Trunk Show it is!

So keep your calendars open Friday November 16^th….our tentative, almost certain 7thJoy Trunk Show date!  We can’t wait to share our crazy creations and goings on with you all once more!

Breathing in the Joy, breathing out the panic, B

 

 

He who sows virtue, reaps honor!

Yesterday was an extra special first day of school day for me.

My youngest set out to begin his junior year without his RIDE…

His older brother is now bittersweetly away at college and he is just a few days away from getting his license and driving his beloved “new to him” Jeep Cherokee. So Heaven help him...Dad resumed drop off duty, but better than the totally uncool option, MOM!

This year he is beyond excited to be attending Tomball Memorial High, playing his sax as part of the roarin’ blue band under the direction of his favorite band director, Mr. Easton! And reunited with some great friends who moved over when the new school opened last year.


We are all anticipating an over the top, full of possibilities year, praying that each step will be directed and blessed by God. This boy deserves it; he has survived the last two with a strength that is mind boggling and a never give up, positive attitude. I can only attribute this perseverance to his faith, determination and God’s constant alongside stance.

Who would have known when I named him…

GARRISON - noun \ˈger-ə-sən \ : a military post; especially: a permanent military installation

That my baby would aspire to become an Army Ranger,

And be a young man who loves his God and his country without reservation.

His favorite quote…. He who sows virtue, reaps honor - Leonardo Davinci

Amazing…

I am in awesome love with this boy…looking forward to the next 2 years with just him. Knowing now that when it’s his turn to leave the nest, I’ll be joyfull and beyond proud! B

P.S.
And to push joy over the top, another special 5 year old in my life started kindergarten...Is he not the most handsomely precious boy you've ever seen???

Simply Significant Art…..

Have you often wondered…Where can I find something different to use as artwork; something I don’t see in everyone else’s home, a piece that I will love for a long time if not forever???  But also won’t break the bank!!  Well, I’d like to help you!

As a Home Stylist in Tomball, Texas I run across this issue often.  Unlike many years ago, there is truly an abundance of beautiful artwork available to us now.  But I work for some great clients who find that spending hundreds of dollars on one piece of artwork, either doesn’t fit in their budget or their design psyche.   A challenge I relish…finding beautiful options that leave money for more important things!

Number 1 on my list, Travel Art!  Here, a couple of small water colors by an obscure artist discovered in the square of New Orleans on a trip gifted me by a dear friend for my 50^th  birthday.  Thanks Shelly!

One is just the perfect example of architecture along the streets of Orleans, the other a beautiful interpretation of Oak Alley, a glorious plantation home surrounded by 300 year old oaks.

They are simply framed and given a prominent home near my front door.  I grouped them with another altered photo print from a very interesting, leather skinned artist I met in the central market while visiting Santa Fe with St. Philip.   They are similarly framed and the continuity in color and subject matter make them great companions!

Option 2, Kid Art.  Your children’s creativity can be a wonderful addition to any room, reminiscent of the masters!  Both my boys had an art teacher in elementary school that used the masters as inspiration for her classroom.  I just cherish their work, priceless!

3rdly, Collected Objects.  Whether it be special cards, linens, programs, old music sheets, whatever you adore….frame it!  If it says something to you, about you or for you, it will make great art.  I.E.

I will never tire of these; they welcome guests, warm my space, and make for great conversation.  But best of all, they constantly remind me of the lovefull memories and blessings that fill my heart. 

A picture is worth a thousand words… 

     Your home is a reflection of you...

   You are what you hang….oh never mind, wrong verb!

Anyway, just open your eyes to the possibilities! What can you frame that means something to you and yours? And like I said, leave money in the budget for more important things, like making more memories! Hanging Joy! B

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3-4