Thursday, January 31, 2013

Catching Dreams in the Light


As the sun set one evening a couple weeks ago, it breathed magenta fire into the sky.

It was the calm before the storm, however.
The winds began to blow 50 mph and screamed into the velvet darkness.
Sleep was evaded.
Overnight, the temps plummeted 25 degrees.

Old Man Winter made his appearance here in Michigan in royal style.
(much to my chagrin)



"When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the Creator". 
~Mohandas Gandhi 

The next day, the snow fell.
The temps dropped even further into the single digits.
The furnace wouldn't stop running.







It was a good day to hunker down inside this toasty, tousled, old farmhouse
and catch a few dreams...

making some dream catchers to sell in my booth...

on my new favorite piece of love in the house.
*wink*

I wrapped hoops with strips of vintage linens and pieces of old denim.


Note: Many of you asked about the name and SKU of my prairie table from Menards.
Here it is:  Midwest Manufacturing Workmaster Workbench, SKU #136-7034.

I pulled out my supply of twine, feathers, beads, bits and bobs.




I wove and strung and beaded and tied.

Content.
Happy.
Blessed.




Glancing out once in a while to watch the swirling snowflakes piling up on the windowsill
and collecting on every green branch of the pine trees.
Feeling grateful for a warm house and the joy of working and creating with my hands.





"Aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands." 
~ 1 Thes.4:11 









He has given you gifts, desires, talents, and inclinations.

Pursue them with gratitude and great joy.
They are God's gift to you.
Make them your gift to Him.
Even if no one understands.
If no one is impressed.
He is honored and pleased.*







I added some love and grace to each dream catcher
with a small wooden cross
or a tiny turquoise heart ~

whispering a prayer of peace over each.




I stood there and worked at my rustic prairie table all day long.


Enjoy stillness and quiet.
Appreciate His created beauty.
There is loveliness all around.
Choose to see it, hear it, feel it, smell it, taste it.
Open your eyes to wonder.
Then create.
Make your own kind of beauty.*


As the evening sky began to darken,
I clicked the old switch on the vintage lamp that my sweet husband revamped for me.
This is the lamp that we dug out of a pile of junk in the back of a neighbor's property this past spring.

You can read about it here
(and see what Heaven's Walk looked like with a French-Nordic twist before shabby chicness found a home here).

It was badly rusted and not working,
but The Husband lovingly restored it for me ~
even taking the time to wipe on some linseed oil to bring back its original luster.







The warm light flooded the room
as I heard The Husband stomping his snowy feet inside the back door.

I drew the gauzy curtains against the cold and snow,
and turned to see him enter my studioffice.

A grin crossed his face as he saw me standing at my our little prairie table working,
vintage light filling the warm, cozy room,
seeing how happy I was at that moment.








He turned and smiled at the completed dream catchers
hanging here
and there
and there
around the room.






Leaving the dreams until tomorrow,
we headed to the kitchen for a glass of our homemade FatCat*HappyDog wine
before dinner ~

while the trees creaked and groaned in the icy wind,
and the snow created deep whipped cream drifts around the barn...




Smile, inside and out.
Choose to enjoy each day.
It is a gift.*


~  Blessings  ~




Follow me on Facebook and Pinterest!

Linking to the linky parties on the lower right of my sidebar this week.

* written by Susan, High Desert Home blog

56 comments:

  1. what a sweet post to sip to.

    warm smiles.

    michele

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  2. What a lovely post and such pretty pictures. The snow is beautiful!! We dont get it here so I can appreciate your photos.
    Have a great evening
    ~ Cheryl

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  3. How lovely,I really enjoyed your lovely post and way with words. I actually felt like I was there. Such a beautiful sunset and winter wonderland scene. x

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  4. How lovely,I really enjoyed your lovely post and way with words. I actually felt like I was there. Such a beautiful sunset and winter wonderland scene. x

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  5. Laurie: What a beautiful sight, and what an inspiring post. That first photo is just beautiful..Happy Thursday..Judy

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  6. Love your post. Going to add your button to my sidebar. Have had little inspiration lately. Hoping to get some soon. Love your dream catchers. Ever consider selling them let me know!

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  7. I love the pictures of the lovely snow! We haven't had more than a scant dusting so far this year. I enjoyed going back and seeing the more Nordic decor in your beautiful farmhouse before. I love the Nordic look.

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  8. What a blessing this weeks blog was for me, Laurie!They are always so meaningful and more then just about collecting pretty things! You live a beautiful life inside and out,you seem to have found balance in life and never forget about spirit! The Thessalonians verse really popped out at me! I had just read that bible chapter only last week when I was really needing guidance and very confused over a social situation I was going through! So this once again reassured me and brought me joy that my heart was in the right place and how to deal with my problem!!!! Just goes to show no matter how much negative influences tries to bring us down, we are never alone and can always find counsel from above! Thanks for sharing, and your home belongs on a postcard !It is especially beautiful in all that snow!~ ChristyLeah : )

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  9. How beautiful all those snowy photos are, so dreamy! I lived in Montana for 6 years and I truly miss the snow.I know it gets real old but I really miss those kind of days.

    Your dream catchers are fabulous and need to get a check to you as I <3 them so.
    You have a beautiful home and such a beautiful spirit.I am going back to see your old decor.Thanks for sharing~Blessings Kim xoxo

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  10. Those are two of the prettiest dream catchers I've ever seen with the little cross and heart. Do you have an etsy shop? Have you done post showing how to make a dream catcher?

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  11. Love the dremcatchers. They are just beautiful.

    Hugs

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  12. You haven't stopped by in awhile, so I came to you! SO love your beautiful post. You have a way of making everything lovely!!

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  13. Love the dreamcathers...so beautiful made...lovely weekend...xxx...

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  14. Hi dear Laurie,
    love your work-all-dream catcher is amazing-love the details-heart and croos ♥ And new lamp-so pretty!!!!!!!!!!You is amazing,love your style very much!!!
    Have a nice day!!!!!!!
    xoxo

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  15. what gorgeous shots! thank you!!!! {loving you blog banner too!!;}

    m ^..^

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  16. Such a blessing to read these words today my friend.. Lovely photos too! Xoxo

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  17. Beautiful words and beautiful images Laurie! It must be fun to hunker down inside and be cozy! Love your dream catchers:) That's a lucky little lamp to have been saved by you!

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  18. Your photos and words are so beautiful Laurie... I think I could just sit there amongst all of your gorgeous things and sip coffee and chat with you all day... xoxo Julie Marie

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  19. Ok, i am completely enchanted now... i think i just lived and felt that whole scene, wow...

    Cindy

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  20. Yeah. Me too! So pretty. I would love to purchase one of your dream catchers. Are you selling them ? I adore the pink ones. I think I saw one with flowers on one of your posts awhile back. I live in Ohio.

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    1. Hi Carol Jane ~ Thank you so much! I don't have any way of replying to you since you're a "no-reply" commenter. Please drop me an email at shoemaker813@mei.net so that we can chat! :)

      xoxo laurie

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  21. Laurie,
    Love this post!!!
    Love that you were able to have the time to create with such a beautiful scenery out~of~doors!!!
    Love that you were warm and content!
    Love that husband made it home safe and sound!!!
    God is Love...
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  22. Sounds like a wonderful day! And with beautiful results!

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  23. Ms.Laurie!

    Wow, what a BLESSING you are in my life, and so many others! Your writing is so heartfelt and your pictures are just exquisite to match! All I can say is, Roger is one of the luckiest men on the planet... Next to my husband of course!!!! Teehee!!!! Anyway sweets, your dreamcatcher's are soooooooooo BEAUTIFUL!!! Wowza, your talents are endless my dear!!! Well, I hope that all that stinking snow melts for you over the weekend. I know, wishful thinking right? Enjoy rhe weekend and thanks for sharing your precious pictures and inspirational and comforting words. You really have a talent for the written word!!!
    Love you sista,
    XOXO~ Steph

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  24. Your writing is so warm and heartfelt. I loved the poem, and your pictures are so beautiful. I love the peacefulness of the snow, it's make the world seem clean and crisp and romantic. It was a good day for you to make sure pretty dream catchers - so pretty. Thank you for your kind words about our precious Bo passing, it really meant a lot. Your right he is now our angel in heaven watching over us now, it made me feel so good when I read that!

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  25. Loved this post, so heart warming. I really enjoyed the scripture . It let me see the blessing in my own life.

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  26. Crafting does make the heart sing, doesn't it?!
    They are beautiful Laurie!

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  27. Laurie love all the pictures the dreamcatchers are beautiful I really need to make a few did you share a tutorial before? my heart really reved up when you showed the picture of the work table with the black lamp I love the contrast true prairie style not all white love the fact that you are keeping your antique home historical with the wood trim and the contrast it provides is very prairie which is what I love enjoyed your post!!
    Sherry

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  28. Your dream catchers are just beautiful! It is such a pleasure creating and working with your hands. It warms the heart.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  29. thanks for sharing that beautiful post full of wonderful moments of enjoying the best of the season

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  30. Hi Laurie,
    Its à winters postcard over here, and truly where you catch dreams. I know your cold and about now looking forward to sunny days ahead, but if I could experience one winter in your home of white beauty I would never want to leave.
    The view of winter from our look in is just so heavenly, and a walk that would be. Your dream catchers are looking so creative, how many are you up to now? You will do fabulous with your up and coming event, and I am sure you will sell out !

    Hugs and kisses this fine February
    Xox
    Doré

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  31. You're such a gifted writer Laurie - I swear I'm in the room sitting and watching you work away with a glass of
    fat cat happy dog wine ( whatever that is - but if the word wine is in it then I'm ok with that lol )
    Beautiful post - loved it as usual
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  32. So inspiring! I found you on the Clever Chicks Hop and I would love to have you join the fun on my Creative HomeAcre Hop!
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/02/the-creative-homeacre-hop.html

    Hope to see you there!

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  33. You captured serenity with your writing, your photography and your craft.

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  34. Your dream catchers are beautiful. Your words are beautiful.

    I always love my visits with you, my friend.

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  35. Laurie, I love the fabric on the dream catchers. So pretty with the old denim. They look so romantic on your wall. Thanks for sharing this creative post at Simple & Sweet Fridays. Your photography of the snow is gorgeous!


    Jody

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  36. I love to read your posts, and your pictures are beautiful, so enchanting to come here, I love it!

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  37. A beautiful post, and your Dream Catchers are enchanting!! Any chance of a tutorial??

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    1. Hi Bobbie ~ I didn't plan on doing a tutorial because there are so many on YouTube, which is where I learned. :) It's very easy .... and satisfying! Take a peek, and if you have any questions, drop me an email! (and don't forget to leave me your email!) xoxo Laurie

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  38. Love the beautiful snowfall and dusky light. And your hatbox on the blue table.
    Blessings,
    Fiordelisa

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  39. Laurie, I always love dropping by your blog. Your words mesmerize me and lull me into sweet contentment! You make me appreciate winter rather than wish it away... love the way you spent your time making the dream catchers and the story of your lamp. See you again..... xo

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  40. The dream catchers are beautiful, I love them. I like the idea of a cross or a heart and your blessing on them as well. When my kids were little we got dream catchers t a fair once and I told them that all their bad dreams would filter through and only good ones remain. No more nightmares!

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  41. I absolutely love your house!!!! Thank you for sharing this at Rustic Restorations Weekend!

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  42. It helps to read other comments and your replies, as I think it would be a rewarding experience to make my own dream catcher. I'll check You Tube and say yours are very nice. Good photo of the pink sky through the bedroom window.

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  43. Laurie, Congrats! Just wanted you to know you've been featured at Simple & Sweet Fridays. Thanks for sharing this inspiring post.

    Jody

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  44. A beautiful post Laurie and I adore those dream catchers. I felt chilled just looking at your beautiful wintery photos... which is a great contrast to our hot and humid summer's day here on the other side of the world.

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  45. Your Dream Catchers are absolutely gorgeous--I am so envious of your day of work in front of that snowy scene! What a beautiful way to spend a snow day :-)

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  46. beautiful post, Laurie. your snow photos are magical, and that workbench is just amazing!!

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  47. Lovely dream catchers Laurie and a lovely post. I so enjoyed reading it. Thanks for linking up this week at Transformed Tuesday. Hugs, Peggy~PJH Designs

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  48. Laurie, your posts are always so poetic. Oh if i could write like that! Love your sweet dream catchers. My youngest daughter loves dream catchers. She would be swooning right now. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  49. Just posted on Facebook and pinned:)

    Thank you so much for sharing at Freedom Fridays Blog Hop and thank you for being one of my Five Faves!

    (and thank you for sharing this dreamy peaceful day:)

    Have a great week, my Friend:)

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  50. i adore these!!! i made some much simpler ones with my daughter last year (she was only 5!) but these are so much prettier and fancier and inspiring!

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  51. I remember when you shared getting that light! He did an amazing job! Well done! The dream catchers are wonderful - loving the snow scenes - it would be a rare sight here. I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  52. Such a pretty post Laurie and I love your dream catchers!! Sharing at the party tonight~ thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!

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  53. This post reflects so much joy, beauty and contentment Laurie and I am so happy that you have this new workspace to create even more beauty. It just feels so very nurturing and I can feel how you have totally embraced it. xoxo

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Bless you and thank you for visiting! I read each of your comments and treasure them all. So, please make sure your settings will accept emails, or leave your email address so that I can reply! ♥ Laurie