tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91972151377907656602024-03-18T15:58:35.089-04:00Heaven's Walkinspired life in a bohemian farmhouse...Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.comBlogger278125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-81909993224680913382015-12-21T16:18:00.000-05:002015-12-21T16:18:08.050-05:00A Kaleidoscope Life<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh....my friends...</div>
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it's been such along time since I last sat down with you all and shared my heart.</div>
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I feel so bad for neglecting you...but please know that I have not forgotten you.</div>
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I do hope to return to blogging more regularly soon...<br />
once I catch my breath. </div>
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So many of you have checked in with me over the past months leaving messages of love and concern. </div>
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Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!</div>
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They were like hugs of sweet sisterhood,<br />
and I embraced and treasured each and every one of them. <br />
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So many many things have happened in my life during the past seven months as I struggled to gather my feet beneath me, accept the changes around me, and push forward on life's journey<br />
with my strong husband at my side and sweet Maizie Grace at my feet. </div>
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Incredible things. Beautiful things. Exciting things.</div>
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Like a kaleidoscope quilt of many colors...</div>
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I share my blessings with you.<br />
<br />
In May, spring exploded like a brilliant rainbow in the gardens.<br />
I spread about 15 yards of dark brown mulch, carting the trailer along behind me on my lawn tractor.<br />
It's hard work, but fresh mulch always makes any garden look neat and clean,<br />
and helps keeps the weeds at bay.<br />
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The fountains trickled cool water for our feathered friends,<br />
and all of our "frog boys" happily returned to party in the pond.<br />
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One of our wild turkeys even surprised us one day by laying an egg next to our pond.<br />
That was an unexpected first!<br />
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We spent a few glorious summer days floating on our pontoon on a small, private lake<br />
soaking up the sunshine and reveling in the peaceful beauty around us.<br />
It was so relaxing and rejuvenating. <br />
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I discovered Flash Tattoos which I fell head over heels for.<br />
There are plans in the works for getting a permanent one in April<br />
with a Biblical scripture on my wrist as a tribute to my parents.<br />
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I continued adding more bohemian vibes to this grand old farmhouse,<br />
by painting and distressing my craft cabinet<br />
and gracing it with a painting my father once created for me.<br />
Vintage looking boho fabric was tacked to the doors<br />
for a splash of additional color and texture. <br />
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A piece of leftover barn wood was made into a rustic shelf<br />
and hung on the wall over the tub.<br />
It holds two paintings by my parents and a carved Moroccan trinket box. <br />
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and another one was added to the fireplace.<br />
I'm glad that we saved all of the old wood from the barn renovation a few years ago.<br />
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Richer, deeper jewel tones now fill each room with warmth,<br />
and I discovered a love for bird of paradise plants and orchids<br />
which mix perfectly with boho style.<br />
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It was time for a new look for me, too.<br />
So I had quite a few inches of my hair trimmed off.<br />
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With a big event planned here at the end of the summer,<br />
it was time to get down to some dirty work in preparation.<br />
We hauled out the old barn doors that had been laying in the meadow,<br />
propped them up, and power washed them.<br />
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A few days later, the crew showed up to begin our new screened-in porch<br />
that would be constructed over our old deck.<br />
It would become a wonderfully shaded haven for us to relax during the warm months,<br />
instead of huddling under a patio umbrella in the hot sun.<br />
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While the crew hammered the room into being,<br />
I stained...and stained...and stained what would become the planked ceiling.<br />
It was so exciting to watch this space become a room!<br />
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In between all of the staining,<br />
I also painted the front porch floor with a fresh coat of lavender hued gray paint,<br />
spray painted the white wicker with a deep espresso color,<br />
and added kantha quilt cushions.<br />
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And as the hot, humid July continued,<br />
the back porch began to take shape.<br />
Remember those old barn doors we cleaned? <br />
We used them for one wall.<br />
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It took me about three days to paint them with two coats of white.<br />
We love the texture, interest, and historical feel they add.<br />
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After four weeks of continuous hot, hard work,<br />
the only thing the crew had to complete was the finished lattice beneath the porch.<br />
The new space was ready to furnish. <br />
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There is nothing more fun for me than to design and style a new room.<br />
Espresso color painted wicker, a palm frond embossed ceiling fan,<br />
a Pier I metal barrel side table, orchids, ferns,<br />
and jewel toned pillows filled the cool, cozy, space. <br />
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All in all, the renovations included removing the widows-walk railing over the front porch, replacing the standing-seam metal roof, removing all shutters, revamping the supporting horizontal beams and rebuilding the columns on the front porch,<br />
painting the front porch floor and wicker furniture,<br />
building the screened in porch over the back deck ~<br />
complete with a vintage style screened door that slams,<br />
and finally giving the house a good wash. <br />
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Needless to say, we were thrilled with the results!<br />
The new porch looked like it had always been there.<br />
It "completed" Heaven's Walk. <br />
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Everything was finished just in time for the big event mid-August...<br />
two days after our 31st wedding anniversary.<br />
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Heaven's Walk hosted a wedding.<br />
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It must have been the most hot, humid day of the summer,<br />
but at least it was a beautifully sunny one for the 160 people that attended.<br />
We will be hosting another one in August 2016. <br />
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After the busyness of the summer, it was nice to slow down a bit and return to our seasonal chores of harvesting the garden, canning 350 jars of salsa, 24 pints of pickles, and freezing summer and spaghetti squash.<br />
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New bohemian dream catchers for some wonderful customers filled my studio...<br />
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and I even squeezed in some time for decluttering and reorganizing pantries,<br />
drawers, and closets. I tossed out all processed food and sugar.<br />
We are eating healthier now than ever before (low carb/no sugar),<br />
and after losing eight pounds so far, I don't plan on ever changing this lifestyle. <br />
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Seemingly, in the blink of an eye,<br />
the garden was transformed from this...<br />
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to this....<br />
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and then back to this.<br />
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Regardless of the warm winter we're having<br />
(which I am loving by the way), <br />
Christmas arrived at Heaven's Walk with new peacock colored ornaments<br />
that I am totally enamored with.<br />
(I am also <strike>hoarding</strike> cherishing peacock and pheasant feathers sent to me from<br />
a couple of kind, thoughtful Instagram/Facebook friends.) <br />
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I tucked some peacock feathers into our Christmas tree <br />
and laid some on the Moroccan coffee table tray.<br />
Some treasured peasant feathers were placed into my dream catcher, the mantel garland,<br />
as well as the cluster of candles,<br />
which created an exotic feel to the decor.<br />
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Yes...it's definitely been a kaleidoscope kind of life over the past seven months...<br />
full of<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"> rich color</span></b>,<br />
<b><span style="color: magenta;">warm love</span></b>,<br />
and <b><span style="color: #274e13;">deep blessings</span></b>.<br />
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And I pray the same for you<br />
this beautiful Christmas season!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">~ Eucharisteo ~</span></span></i></span><br />
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PS ~ Be sure to follow me on Instagram (bohemiansoul26) and on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laurieshoemaker.heavenswalk">Facebook</a>.<br />
It's always the first places where I share what's going on here at Heaven's Walk!<br />
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<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">lower</a> <a href="http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/">right</a> of my sidebar.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-90237665924062984622015-05-25T13:51:00.001-04:002015-05-25T13:51:18.732-04:00The Laughter of Color<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for sticking by my side during this past year and being such devoted followers and friends. I deeply appreciate you checking in on me, sharing prayers, and offering encouragement, support, and love. </i><br />
<i>I treasure you all and consider you such a blessing in my life.</i><br />
<i>Thank you for being you! </i><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~ ~ ♥</b></span></span> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">~ ~</span></b></span><br />
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The seasons change and so does life.<br />
Along with changes in one's life often comes changes of the heart.</div>
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With sadness, the soul seeks joy. </div>
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My heart has been craving color.<br />
Warm, happy, joyful color.</div>
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It has shown up not only outside in my gardens...</div>
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but inside this old farmhouse, too.</div>
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Tribal pillows, with their rich texture and cultural patterns</div>
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now mix beautifully with one of my favorite darker florals....but only one.</div>
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You won't find many ruffles or florals in this house right now.</div>
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I packed away the whisper of soft pastels and brought out the laughter of color.</div>
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My soul was craving laughter.</div>
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Earthy richness in my favorite deeper shades of purple, pink, blue, gray, and brown embrace the rooms with a warm hug of coziness.<br />
My soul was craving a hug. </div>
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Bohemian style is all about exotic, saturated color, rich texture, intricate patterns,<br />
and an earthy vibe ~ with a bit of whimsy thrown in for good measure. </div>
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It's about being a "vagabond traveling through life" collecting eclectic treasures along the way.<br />
Think....gypsy caravans.<br />
A free-spirited lifestyle.<br />
Layered decorating. <br />
Spicy. <br />
A bit wild.<br />
Yes, my heart craved a bit of wildness.<br />
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<i>Maryam Montague writes that it's "a combination of strong architectural shapes, sublime decorative finishes, vivid, inky colors, fresh, intricate patterns, and one-of-a-kind objects." </i><br />
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Kilims, batik, oushak, ajrahk block prints, hand quilted kantha.<br />
Handcrafted artistry in rugs, pillows, and throws.</div>
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Mixing them all is easy. </div>
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Patterns that you think would clash, live joyfully next to each other as long as there is one common color. The woven patterns each telling a story of the artisans who made them.</div>
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The bohemian theme is carried into my studio with collected, treasured paintings by my great-grandmother, grandmother, my father, and my talented long-time friend, Kerrie Sanderson. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kerrie's sweet beach painting is on the far right. You can purchase her paintings from her Etsy shop, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/Seawashed?ref=em">Seawashed</a>.</td></tr>
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Found Moroccan ceramic lattice vases from a consignment shop grace the cabinet in my studio.<br />
This reworked pink <a href="http://heavens-walk.blogspot.com/2014/02/vintage-blue-cabinet.html">cabinet</a>, which has gone from white to blue to pink, will soon be getting a wash of "Muddy Pond" wax to "dirty" it a bit and create a more authentic well-worn, vintage look.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(You can purchase it <a href="http://www.whitelacecottage.com/product/muddy-pond-wax-8oz/">here</a> from Anne at White Lace Cottage.)</span></div>
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Orchids sway next to roses on the fireplace mantel.</div>
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A regal purple orchid soaks up some sunshine on the kitchen windowsill.</div>
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A bohemian lantern and a red Moroccan glass filled with bright pink roses stand beneath a couple of my dream catchers.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(You can order a dream catcher from me <a href="http://heavens-walk.blogspot.com/2013/07/passion-grace.html">here</a>.)</span></div>
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A pierced tin lamp gives light to books and magazines that provide continual inspiration for me.<br />
Of course, my favorite <a href="https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/">Young Living</a> 'Patchouli" essential oil is never far away.<br />
It is diffused and worn almost daily, and lends the perfect exotic fragrance in the house.<br />
Patchouli has a musky, earthy aroma. In Eastern cultures, it is commonly used around the house to provide general support for health, and to help release negative emotions.</div>
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A simple touch of boho graces the master bath.</div>
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An orchid grows quietly next to a small beaded jewelry box atop a vintage Florentine table.</div>
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A carved whitewashed acacia wood box sits next to the one and only painting created by my mother that my father helped her with...</div>
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and a battery-operated gold filigree candle adds a soft glow at night.<br />
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The meditation room ~ dressed in purple, brown, and gray ~ is a haven of peace and tranquility.<br />
Mismatched lace tablecloths tossed casually over curtain rods filter the morning sunlight. <br />
A large pillow made from a Turkish rug grounds this space.<br />
This has become my favorite room in the house. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RwyrHY1l1mU/VWJBeymUfOI/AAAAAAAANv0/7XHKvNgxmPI/s1600/95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="498" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RwyrHY1l1mU/VWJBeymUfOI/AAAAAAAANv0/7XHKvNgxmPI/s640/95.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am currently on the hunt for another Moroccan side table like this.</td></tr>
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A sparkly turquoise blue vase brings memories of cherished vacations spent by sparkling blue oceans.</div>
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I'm still tweaking the master bedroom.</div>
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A favorite throw from India in pink, white, and gray is tossed over a white linen duvet,</div>
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while a Turkish patchwork throw was tacked to the headboard for a quirky introduction of crayon colors.<br />
The 1800's blanket chest at the foot of the bed was hauled home from a trip to Maine many years ago. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAnKPTzVEsQ/VWJBuh-dT4I/AAAAAAAANwE/Rm0PvNiCfdc/s1600/97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAnKPTzVEsQ/VWJBuh-dT4I/AAAAAAAANwE/Rm0PvNiCfdc/s640/97.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tailored bedskirt by Shellagh Selee from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/tickingandtoile">Ticking & Toile.</a></td></tr>
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Cowboy hats, tasseled shawls, and fringed leather handbags</div>
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hang on a handmade vintage coat rack.</div>
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Tattered Turkish rugs with beautifully bright and sometimes faded colors in exotic patterns can be found scattered throughout every room of the house.</div>
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The white wicker furniture on the front porch will soon get a make over, too, with a wash of earthy brown.</div>
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As I continue to plan and design some big changes for our back porch <br />
~ which will become another favorite bohemian haven in this house, I'm sure ~</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my heart is being comforted.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Embraced in color.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Grounded in pattern.</div>
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Reveling in the joy that it all brings. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Skk3kk0rVqs/VWJCjQkSAiI/AAAAAAAANw8/8XcVLZySOfs/s1600/992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Skk3kk0rVqs/VWJCjQkSAiI/AAAAAAAANw8/8XcVLZySOfs/s640/992.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: purple;">~ Eucharisteo ~</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">linky</a> parties on the <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">lower</a> <a href="http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/">right</a> of my sidebar.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-91930382006623703072015-05-09T16:01:00.000-04:002015-05-10T17:38:42.887-04:00When Peonies Bloom<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;">I am sharing my post from last June</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">as a loving tribute and a cherished remembrance</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">to my mother who passed away on June 7, 2013...</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">and who I am missing so very deeply this Mother's Day.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #a64d79;">I still find myself struggling;</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">sadness cutting its way deep and hard into my soul;</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">grief still tying my emotions into an unwelcome knot;</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">tears spilling at unexpected moments; </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">memories so clear and sharp as if they happened yesterday.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">If you are blessed to be with your mother today,</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">do me a favor. </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Hug her especially long.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Whisper in her ear how much you love her,</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">and then look into her eyes and tell her again...and again.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">I wish I had one more chance to do just that...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">I miss you, Mom.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">And I love you with every portion of my heart. </span><br />
<br />
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<br />
June 9, 2013<br />
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God's timing is always perfect ~<br />
even though our minds don't always understand it.<br />
Even though it may be painful to us mere humans.<br />
It stretches us.<br />
Grows us.<br />
Makes us stronger. <br />
<br />
Snowflakes make the world slumber.<br />
Rain provides a much needed drink.<br />
Clouds cool the earth.<br />
Sunshine brings the blooms.<br />
All in God's perfect timing. <br />
<br />
And every person's life is a story written by God's hand.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">♥</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
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As roses and peonies spill into the garden back at her farmhouse,<br />
she sits by her mother's bedside in the nursing home.<br />
Twelve days have passed since her father's entrance into heaven.<br />
Still dazed.<br />
Heavy hearted.<br />
World still reeling.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Remaining simply and humbly in the hands of God,<br />
clinging to him and surrendering herself to his love,<br />
she is still.<br />
Hands clasped.<br />
Words whispered... <br />
<i>"I love you, Mom."</i><br />
<br />
Uncorking the bottle of memories carried deep in her heart,<br />
floating like a sweet fragrance through her soul... <br />
<br />
<i>remembering.</i><br />
<br />
Up on tiny tiptoes helping her mother hang laundry by the big old lilac bush in the backyard...<br />
<br />
standing shoulder to shoulder with her mother slicing apples for the pot of simmering homemade cinnamon applesauce on the stove...<br />
<br />
walking hand in hand with her mother in the warm sand along the lake shore by the old cottage,<br />
searching for ladybugs... <br />
<br />
watching her mother help patrons select books at the library ~ her smile a constant jewel...<br />
<br />
<br />
As the years passed, the moments changed.<br />
She was the one assisting and lending a hand now.<br />
<br />
Helping her aging mother apply her always present lipstick after lunch...<br />
<br />
guiding her to the bedroom for an afternoon nap...<br />
<br />
lifting her from her chair onto unsteady feet,<br />
her smile ever present. <br />
<br />
Threads of life woven into a quilt of forever love.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
And now,<br />
she bent her head in prayer over her mother's unresponsive, sleeping body.<br />
Praying for release.<br />
Relief.<br />
Praying for God to take over.<br />
Sitting in the silence of His Presence. <br />
Breathing deep draughts of His Promise.<br />
His peace guarding her heart and pressing close to her mother.<br />
<br />
Her hope.<br />
Her song.<br />
Angels present and hovering near.<br />
Tears fell. <br />
<i>"I will miss you so much, Mom."</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #c27ba0;">I believe in Jehovah God who created the whirling galaxies, the birds soaring in the sky overhead, the endless crashing waves and all that dances within them. I believe in Father of all who knits together life, made in His very own image, in the secret quiet of our beings.<br />I believe in Jesus Christ, the One with no earthly Father, with the dust of this earth between His toes, and with our names etched onto the palm of His hands, right beneath the nail scars…Who now sits at the Father’s right hand making endless intercession on our behalf. I believe in the stone rolled away, in the Body being raised, in the first fruits of the dead…and us all following soon, very soon.<br />I believe in the Cross as our only Hope, our only Claim, and our only Foundation. I believe that in the pounding surf of life we have only one thing to cling to: the feet of our Lord, hanging on that tree, His lifeblood flowing down, washing us whiter than snow.<br />I believe in the Holy Spirit, moving, whispering, indwelling our very skin. I believe in living by the Spirit, walking in the Spirit, and producing fruit in the Spirit…in the Spirit who helps us in our weakness with groanings that can’t be expressed in words.<br />I believe in the infallibility of the Bible, God’s Word – a sure Word, a pure Word, the only secure Word. I believe the words on those pages are breathed from the very throne room of heaven, are the love letter penned from the heart of the Lover of our souls; a beacon of light for stumbling feet to find sure footing on a dark path.<br />I believe there is more than believing. There is living what I believe.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><i>~Ann Voskamp</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
Minutes ticked.<br />
Hours passed.<br />
Quiet.<br />
Searching.<br />
Waiting.<br />
<br />
And when God's timing was perfect,<br />
he swept her mother up in his strong arms and carried her tired body,<br />
to be renewed and refreshed,<br />
through the heavenly gates.<br />
His loving embrace warm and healing. <br />
<br />
She joined her beloved husband ~ both now made whole.<br />
Healthy.<br />
Happy.<br />
Experiencing the incredible joy, beauty, and wonderment of heaven...<br />
<br />
together. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>“Yet I am always with you;<br />you hold me by my right hand.<br />You guide me with your counsel,<br />and afterward you will take me into glory.<br />Whom have I in heaven but you?<br />And earth has nothing I desire besides you.<br />My flesh and my heart may fail,<br />but God is the strength of my heart<br />and my portion forever.”<br />Psalm 72:23-26</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
God's timing.<br />
Always perfect.<br />
Always beautiful.<br />
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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She will always remember her mother....and her father....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when the roses and peonies bloom.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P_0Tb16WWCQ/U5UKwUcP6mI/AAAAAAAAMMg/FNSPtB8cgyo/s1600/cup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P_0Tb16WWCQ/U5UKwUcP6mI/AAAAAAAAMMg/FNSPtB8cgyo/s1600/cup1.jpg" width="530" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">~ Eucharisteo ~</span></i></span></span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-56859654980311516182015-03-04T19:08:00.001-05:002015-03-04T20:25:30.766-05:00A Place That Beckons<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><i><span class="timelineCommentText" data-reactid=".0.0.1.0.0.0:$media933615104374703076:0.1.0.2.0.2"><span data-reactid=".0.0.1.0.0.0:$media933615104374703076:0.1.0.2.0.2.$text0:0:$end:0">At
the beach, life is different. </span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><i><span class="timelineCommentText" data-reactid=".0.0.1.0.0.0:$media933615104374703076:0.1.0.2.0.2"><span data-reactid=".0.0.1.0.0.0:$media933615104374703076:0.1.0.2.0.2.$text0:0:$end:0">Time doesn't move hour to hour but mood
to moment. </span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><i><span class="timelineCommentText" data-reactid=".0.0.1.0.0.0:$media933615104374703076:0.1.0.2.0.2"><span data-reactid=".0.0.1.0.0.0:$media933615104374703076:0.1.0.2.0.2.$text0:0:$end:0">We live by currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun. </span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="timelineCommentText" data-reactid=".0.0.1.0.0.0:$media933615104374703076:0.1.0.2.0.2"><span data-reactid=".0.0.1.0.0.0:$media933615104374703076:0.1.0.2.0.2.$text0:0:$end:0">~ Unknown</span></span></i></span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
We are bidding adieu to the bitterly cold, snowy winter.<br />
Not sorry at all to see it in our rear view mirror. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are packing up our Maizie Grace and escaping someplace warm and happy and comforting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Someplace that continually beckons our hearts and calls to our souls.<br />
A place that heals.<br />
A place where we feel God's presence in an incredibly tangible way. </div>
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We are bagging up our sadness and stress </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and dumping it in the trash can on our way out the door. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We are going to quickly adapt to becoming lazy beach bums</div>
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with sunburned noses and tangled beach hair;</div>
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squinty tan lines around our eyes,</div>
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and peeling shoulders; <br />
wearing a fragrance of salty air and suntan oil. <br />
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We are going to spend hours gazing at the rolling waves;</div>
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doing absolutely nothing but </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
listen to the tinkling of the shells being pulled back into the ocean</div>
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watch sandpipers scurry up and down the beach</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
drink too many Angry Orchards<br />
read piles of books </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
walk miles along the coast<br />
watch Maizie explore and discover sandy treasures </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
chill out with tanned feet propped up on a porch railing<br />
watch a sherbet colored sun kiss turquoise waves. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
We will not think of returning;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
only focusing on the present moment with toes sunk deep in the warm, shell strewn sand</div>
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with clacking palm trees overhead.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
We will tilt our heads together in love.</div>
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Walk hand in hand through the surf. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Heave deep sighs of relief.<br />
Relax. Unwind. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hug, smile, and hug again.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqRJnGMXMrc/VPeAH0IC4eI/AAAAAAAANnY/Gzchds70hCo/s1600/rog.beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqRJnGMXMrc/VPeAH0IC4eI/AAAAAAAANnY/Gzchds70hCo/s1600/rog.beach.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are going to regroup.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Reconnect.<br />
Heal. <br />
Remember what it's like to laugh again. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Lift our faces to the warmth of God's never failing love...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
appreciate how blessed we truly are...<br />
and savor every single moment He gives us. <br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">~ Eucharisteo ~</span></span></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/">linky</a> <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">lower </a>right of my sidebar.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-3837359028616586972015-02-08T18:37:00.000-05:002015-02-08T18:37:21.581-05:00The Love That Breaks a Heart<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="color: #ea9999;">“If only there could be an invention that bottled up a memory, like scent. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #ea9999;">And it never faded, and it never got stale. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #ea9999;">And then, when one wanted it, the bottle could be uncorked, and it would be like living the moment all over again.”</span></i><i><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">~Daphne du Maurier</span></span></i></div>
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Days meld into evenings.</div>
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Snowy mornings fall into frigid nights.</div>
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Life moves, </div>
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flows, </div>
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pushes forward.</div>
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I find myself moving with it ~</div>
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sometimes reluctantly.</div>
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Dragging my feet; reaching back. </div>
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Arms outstretched.</div>
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Wanting to stay in the moment</div>
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and not step into the next one.</div>
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I feel like with each passing day</div>
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more life is left behind.</div>
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I feel anxious and nervous about the future. </div>
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I don't want to forget.</div>
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I am so afraid of forgetting. </div>
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Their voices. Their touch. Their smiles. Their laughter. Their tears...</div>
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Bloglandia hasn't seen much of Heaven's Walk these past months.</div>
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My heart still struggles with emptiness. </div>
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My feeble attempt at putting words to paper fail miserably.</div>
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The void is tangible, presses down hard. </div>
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Depletes me.</div>
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I know deep inside that I continue to be blessed abundantly ~</div>
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with my loving husband, my Maizie Grace, family and friends. </div>
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Living in this old farmhouse surrounded by woods and water, </div>
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rooms warmed by a big furnace,</div>
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healthy food lining the pantry shelves,</div>
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beds piled with down comforters,</div>
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patchouli scented air...</div>
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all huge blessings that make me bow my head in gratitude. </div>
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God makes his presence known with peace and comfort.</div>
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I close my eyes and breathe him in deeply. </div>
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Praying. </div>
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But a part of me is missing.</div>
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Torn away.</div>
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Exposed.</div>
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Lost.</div>
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Floundering.</div>
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Seemingly treading water;</div>
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pushing myself back up to the surface to gasp for breath.</div>
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Between chores...stolen gazes out the window....</div>
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purposefully remembering.</div>
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Knowing the pain will hit sharply</div>
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like a punch to the gut.</div>
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The moments come unexpectedly,</div>
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blindsiding me; </div>
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making my soul curl up in a fetal position.</div>
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I reach back in time and allow myself to sink into the memories.</div>
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Reliving the shock, painful decisions, and sadness. </div>
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Beating myself down with the "whys" and "what-ifs".</div>
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Not a place where I want to be, and I try to push away from it,</div>
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but it's a place I keep falling in to time and time again.</div>
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I touch my dad's lilac painting setting before me in my studio.</div>
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I pull his coat on over my shoulders to go shovel snow in our driveway.</div>
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I run my fingers across my mother's handwriting on a birthday card from years past,</div>
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and clasp her diamond necklace around my neck. </div>
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So much has happened over the past eight months.</div>
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Eight months? How could it be eight months?</div>
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To a broken heart,</div>
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it seems like yesterday.</div>
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The pain is still that big and encompassing. </div>
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It swallows me whole.</div>
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How long does a heart grieve? How long does the soul ache? </div>
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I want to go back in time...</div>
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I don't want to forget</div>
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but </div>
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I don't want the pain of remembering.</div>
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Yet still...</div>
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I want to remember. </div>
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Clinging.</div>
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Surrendering.</div>
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Responding to the tugs of divinity within.</div>
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Healing through tears and sleepless nights.</div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><i>The [Holy Spirit] knows the beat of your heart when you have forgotten how to be.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><i>The [Holy Spirit] knows the lyrics of why you are loved - when you can’t remember quite how to live….</i></span></div>
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><i>The [Holy Spirit] will sing your song - God’s song for you - when you have long forgotten the words to His Word – to yourself.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> ~Ann Voskamp</span></i></span></div>
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The world around me seems loud, crude, and invasive.</div>
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I want to shut it out and escape.</div>
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It doesn't understand.</div>
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I feel God hiding me in the shadow of his hand. </div>
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Protecting.</div>
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Comforting.</div>
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Healing. </div>
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<i><span style="color: #ea9999;">“God speaks in the language you know best - not through your ears, but through your circumstances.” <span style="font-size: x-small;">~Oswald Chambers </span></span></i><br /></div>
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<i>"May our loves never leave us, at least not for long.<br />May our passions not be buried so deep by our pain and brokenness that they become impossible to recover.<br />May we know God and in turn, know ourselves." <span style="font-size: x-small;">~ author unknown</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7De9y_4wLQA/VNfYbKgliBI/AAAAAAAANkA/Qgs0Za80g0Q/s1600/dreamcatcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7De9y_4wLQA/VNfYbKgliBI/AAAAAAAANkA/Qgs0Za80g0Q/s1600/dreamcatcher.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>~ Eucharisteo ~</i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">linky</a> <a href="http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">lower</a> right of my sidebar.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-4515608764678505672015-01-14T21:29:00.001-05:002015-01-15T14:49:34.816-05:00Sharing What Is Good<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, our new year didn't start quite the way I imagined it would.</div>
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My husband and I were both sick over Christmas.</div>
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He caught a nasty cold and cough and spent almost two weeks on the sofa</div>
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while I oiled him up with immunity boosting, anti-viral therapeutic oils</div>
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and kept him well supplied with tissues.</div>
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I placed two <a href="http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/essential-oils/tools/home-diffuser">home diffusers</a> in the living room. One at the head of the sofa and the other at the foot, </div>
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and went through copious amounts of <a href="http://www.youngliving.com/en_US">essential oils</a> to aid in his breathing and congestion.</div>
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He became such a believer in these <a href="http://www.youngliving.com/en_US">Young Living Essential Oils</a> that he began asking for me to anoint him every few hours because they provided so much relief for him.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4W7s642Q0ew/VLbXSszp7OI/AAAAAAAANdY/1W2WeFERwU0/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4W7s642Q0ew/VLbXSszp7OI/AAAAAAAANdY/1W2WeFERwU0/s1600/5.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Knowing there was a pretty good chance that I would be on the receiving end of any errant cooties flying around the house, I oiled myself up every other hour and swiped my nose with <a href="http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/home/pets/animal-scents-ointment">Animal Scents Ointment</a> laced with Lavender, Egyptian Gold, and Exodus II as a preventative measure.</div>
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I did catch a bit of a cold, but it only lasted for three days. I believe it was so short lived because of these wonderful gifts from God ~~ gifts that God intended as our medicines.</div>
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While traveling this "oily" journey, I continue to learn more and more about their healing properties. That, in turn, is forcing me to take a second look at what is in our pantry, what groceries I buy, how we eat, what we put in our bodies, and what we apply to our skin. </div>
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Then, it dawned on me.</div>
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<i>Each drop of an essential oil we use contains approximately 40 million-trillion molecules. (yes..that is a real number). If we're using these oils because they contain the power not only to heal us when we're sick, but to nurture and preserve our health when we are well, </i></div>
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<i>why in the world would I want to eat something or put something on my skin that is full of chemicals and is genetically modified? It's totally defeating the purpose of using these pure oils to stay healthy!</i></div>
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I read in my "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Oils-Bible-David-Stewart/dp/0934426988/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421285315&sr=1-1&keywords=healing+oils+of+the+bible">Healing Oils of the Bible</a>" that the oils' molecules deliver oxygen molecules to our cells, and can erase or deprogram miswritten codes in cellular memory. They can actually help fight cancer. They carry electrical charges, usually electrons or negative ions, which are healing and healthful. So, when we are eating things that weren't natural and organic, we certainly are not helping these oils to work optimally.</div>
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It was time for a change.</div>
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A BIG change.</div>
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Yes, it would be more expensive...because for some odd reason, eating healthy costs more than eating processed food.<br />
But how many times have you have heard (or said yourself),</div>
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<i>"When you have your health, you have everything."</i></div>
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So, I want to share with you what is good in our life right now.</div>
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I am running on my treadmill religiously at least four times per week, not allowing myself to stop until I log in at least three miles. Today I started using the incline to push myself even harder; determined like never before to lose a few pounds before spring arrives.<br />
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I begin every other day by "oil pulling". Taking a teaspoon of organic coconut oil, adding a couple drops of <a href="http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/home/natural-protection/thieves-fresh-essence-mouthwash">Thieves mouthwash</a> (which I just love) to it, and swishing it around in my mouth for 15 minutes while I shower. It pulls toxins and bacteria not only from my mouth, but from my body as well.<br />
It's all about prevention.</div>
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Some deliciously scented organic goats milk soap and shea butters arrived from <a href="https://taprootfarmsak.com/">Taproot Farms</a> in Alaska. I love the feel of the silky soap, and the butters are so healing on winter dry skin.</div>
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<i>(Not to mention, I'm totally diggin' the name of the soap.)</i></div>
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My long-time girlfriend who is also my hair dresser, gave me some Matrix oil to try on my hair.</div>
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I adore it. It makes it soft and manageable and keeps it healthy. It also smells absolutely heavenly.</div>
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I switched from coffee to organic tea spiked with cashew milk, raw honey, and a few drops of essential oils (cinnamon bark, Thieves, lemon, peppermint, and <a href="http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/essential-oils/blends/slique-essence">Slique</a>). The cashew milk provides protein that keeps me full all morning long.</div>
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I make a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0069ENNO6/ref=asc_df_B0069ENNO63109821?smid=APQE2EU6M5HLB&tag=pgmp-697-97-20&linkCode=df0&creative=395109&creativeASIN=B0069ENNO6">Kefir</a> smoothie at noon and nibble on some organic turkey jerky.</div>
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Grocery shopping is taking me longer. I read every single label and put items back on the shelf that have too many ingredients. I am looking for the fewest ingredients as possible and if they are organic, all the better. It amazes me at the amount of chemicals, toxins, GMOs, and unnecessary additives that companies insist on pouring into their products. So disgusting.<br />
We also stopped drinking any type of sodas due to all the chemicals in them<br />
(like formaldehyde....really?)<br />
My go-to drink is water with a few drops of lemon, lime, tangerine, or grapefruit oil in it.</div>
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We are eating more fruit when we get hungry. Bananas, apples, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and oranges. They are filling, nutritious, and provide fiber and energy.</div>
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Our pantry shelves are gradually getting filled with organic almond butter, raw honey, quinoa, organic coconut and flaxseed oil, protein bars, ground chia seeds, and hemp protein powder. </div>
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We eat only "clean" meat. Organic turkey or chicken burger or home-processed venison is used for chili, goulash, or tacos. Air-chilled organic chicken or salmon are our favorites in soups or stir-fry,<br />
with lots of bok choy, broccoli, green beans, carrots, onion, mushrooms, and red pepper.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kL4-EKQd7AM/VLcNg8VwkSI/AAAAAAAANfU/sMCIiqJW7R8/s1600/stir%2Bfry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kL4-EKQd7AM/VLcNg8VwkSI/AAAAAAAANfU/sMCIiqJW7R8/s1600/stir%2Bfry.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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We sprinkle ground chia seeds on top for an extra boost of protein, antioxidants, calcium, and omega 3 fatty acids.<br />
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Cold winters days are spent reading about healthy living,<br />
learning as much as we can...</div>
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with a bit of decorating thrown in for good measure, of course.</div>
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In my studio, standing in front of a favorite tiny painting from my dad...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DprczHWvv_A/VLcPkeGWzrI/AAAAAAAANfw/g3IpMTpGSqE/s1600/91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DprczHWvv_A/VLcPkeGWzrI/AAAAAAAANfw/g3IpMTpGSqE/s1600/91.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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I create more dream catchers,<br />
while my husband putters away in his work room.<br />
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And as 2015 marches forward toward the promise of a healthy spring...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1IrrD7qDssw/VLcQ5NqaDTI/AAAAAAAANgI/Wn3yEjDaAw0/s1600/992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1IrrD7qDssw/VLcQ5NqaDTI/AAAAAAAANgI/Wn3yEjDaAw0/s1600/992.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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our goal for a natural, organic, holistic, healthy, healing way life blooms<br />
in this old farmhouse.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-atWKFIvoU5I/VLcRHRNCh9I/AAAAAAAANgM/xFWG8GAQUxc/s1600/991.jpg" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watercolor by my dad.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="background: white; color: grey;">"You are the content of your character.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: grey;"> </span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: grey;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">You are the ambitions that drive you.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">You are the goals that you set.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">You are the things that you laugh at</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">and the words that you say.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">You are the thoughts you think</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">and the things you wonder.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">You are beautiful and desirable</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">not for the clique you attend,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">but for the spark of life within you</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">that compels you to make your life</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">a full and meaningful one.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">You are beautiful not for the shape of the vessel,</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">but for the volume of the soul it carries.”</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: grey;"><span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="textexposedshow" style="font-size: x-small;">~author unknown</span></span></span></span><br />
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By the grace of God, we strive to carry our healthy souls forward in a full and meaningful life...<br />
and share the goodness that we are blessed with.<br />
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We taste and see that God is good.<br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>~ Eucharisteo ~</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U0Lb8s-V0sw/VLcZ-ZLK-qI/AAAAAAAANg0/Q82mNa8Rre0/s1600/MY%2BSIGNATURE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U0Lb8s-V0sw/VLcZ-ZLK-qI/AAAAAAAANg0/Q82mNa8Rre0/s1600/MY%2BSIGNATURE.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/">linky</a> <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">parties</a> located on the <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">lower</a> right of my sidebar.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-59335822676013802112014-12-20T19:45:00.000-05:002014-12-20T19:45:09.720-05:00Faux Russian Folk Beds & Shabby Vignettes<div style="text-align: center;">
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The guest room has been sitting like this all summer long.</div>
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The twin bed mattress/box spring brought home from my parents' house </div>
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jammed at the foot of the double bed between two large dressers.</div>
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The room pretty much unusable...except for The Husband's desperate attempt to wriggle around them to get to his underwear drawer <i>(poor guy),</i></div>
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and me vaulting over them to put laundry away <i>(Kodak moments)</i>. </div>
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I've been nudging <i>(i.e. nagging)</i> him to build me a couple of Russian folk beds for this room,</div>
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but time has been escaping us both with the holiday seasons.</div>
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It must have been the antibiotics/pain killers that I've been on for a tooth infection</div>
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<i>(which is a whole 'nother story) </i></div>
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that finally motivated me to do something about this mess.</div>
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This room needed to breathe again. </div>
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So, using my super-human strength<i> (once again most likely from the pain killers),</i></div>
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and with a bit of grunting and groaning, </div>
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I hauled the double bed's ancient mattress and rusty box spring </div>
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down the stairs, through the French doors in the kitchen, </div>
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across the back porch, and out to the fire pit.</div>
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<i>By "ancient", I'm talking about some sort of coir-like material laid over the springs and wrapped with some sort of cotton batting. </i></div>
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<i>Not cute ancient....and just plain icky ancient. </i></div>
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The room now looked like this.</div>
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<i>I have always loved the painted floors and woodwork in this room</i><br />
<i>because your eye, instead of being "stopped" by wood trim, goes through the windows and focuses on the beauty outside. It makes the space appear seamless.</i><br />
<i>I just may do it in the library room someday.</i><br />
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Anyway, I had visions of this...</div>
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my favorite Rachel Ashwell boho-inspired room</div>
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with simple Russian folk beds, a happy calamity of fabrics tossed next to each other,</div>
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and vintage Oushak rugs spread lazily across the floor.</div>
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In my mind, I just KNEW that I could squeeze that bed into the corner creating a cozy "L" shaped folk bed. </div>
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One way or another.</div>
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<i>(I possessed super-human strength, you know.) </i></div>
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I moved those mattresses around and around and around the room. </div>
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Each time getting stuck on the dressers. </div>
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I stood back and channeled the geometry I had learned in high school.</div>
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I measured and re-measured.</div>
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I pushed and squeezed and manipulated those mattresses to no end.</div>
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But it was not to be.</div>
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<i>(Insert sad face here.)</i></div>
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The room was too small with the dressers in there,</div>
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and they had to stay. </div>
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So....<i>{sigh}</i>...one folk bed would have to do.</div>
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After pushing and pulling and sliding the box spring up the attic stairs</div>
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<i>(which was quite an Olympic event in itself), </i></div>
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I got to work on making the room pretty.</div>
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The base of the pallet bed is still on the docket to be built next month sometime,</div>
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<i>(I asked for 2x4s for Christmas, believe it or not.)</i></div>
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so I just used a Hollywood bed frame for now and placed the mattress on that. <i> </i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXqlns1pSzI/VJXZKo0J9HI/AAAAAAAANZc/vKoMqCmAIUY/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXqlns1pSzI/VJXZKo0J9HI/AAAAAAAANZc/vKoMqCmAIUY/s1600/5.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used my favorite RA 'Somerset' duvet and pillows and added in SSC 'Mon Ami', a vintage striped down filled pillow, and some white ruffles to the mix.</div>
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The room felt larger and more spacious and just plain cozy</div>
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<i>(and I could still sleep in here if The Husband's snoring got too bad some nights -</i></div>
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<i> happily sprawled across all of those smooshy pillows).</i></div>
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In my foggy, pain-free state-of-mind,</div>
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I was quite pleased at how it turned out.</div>
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<br />
<i>I would still like to get my hands on some of that faded gray French ticking material </i><br />
<i>that RA has on her folk beds in her boho-inspired room...if anyone knows of a source.</i><br />
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While I was experiencing happy delirium upstairs,</div>
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I peeked outside and saw that the turkey boys were in the back yard </div>
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deliriously happy with finding my water garden.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJzIxN76I44/VJXZk9Q0fZI/AAAAAAAANZs/YLOl2wf5Sng/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJzIxN76I44/VJXZk9Q0fZI/AAAAAAAANZs/YLOl2wf5Sng/s1600/8.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had been wondering why I was having to haul buckets upon buckets of water out there to top off the pond every week.</div>
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Now I knew.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9-l-7UeFyQ/VJXZuXTNOOI/AAAAAAAANZ0/AefriPzBioY/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9-l-7UeFyQ/VJXZuXTNOOI/AAAAAAAANZ0/AefriPzBioY/s1600/7.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nothing better than happy turkeys slurping away in your back yard.<br />
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Back inside,</div>
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feeling so much better about the guest room</div>
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<i>(and floating back up stairs just to look at it again and again),</i></div>
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I plunked my favorite 'Rosita vendela' roses into vases throughout the house...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ULV0ykJsKo0/VJXZ4dU-uzI/AAAAAAAANZ8/ywDtYKK1ybs/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ULV0ykJsKo0/VJXZ4dU-uzI/AAAAAAAANZ8/ywDtYKK1ybs/s1600/9.jpg" height="418" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and captured some vignettes from around the house...</div>
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before promptly passing out on the love seat for a long nap.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mRto6YC792o/VJXasF6lbxI/AAAAAAAANak/60I4PSQ6fcU/s1600/95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mRto6YC792o/VJXasF6lbxI/AAAAAAAANak/60I4PSQ6fcU/s1600/95.jpg" height="514" width="640" /></a></div>
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If I don't see you before the blessed Christmastide,</div>
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I pray for you </div>
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peace</div>
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joy</div>
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and</div>
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glorious love</div>
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that only comes </div>
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from the One Above. </div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Merry Christmas Blessings</i></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5wcS5t5aq14/VJXgf3nPy-I/AAAAAAAANb4/6aG3oCZMcfY/s1600/Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5wcS5t5aq14/VJXgf3nPy-I/AAAAAAAANb4/6aG3oCZMcfY/s1600/Christmas.jpg" height="640" width="340" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>~ Eucharisteo ~</i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eq8RMSsyPXc/VJXg2OsEtLI/AAAAAAAANcA/1iUsNim2f0Q/s1600/MY%2BSIGNATURE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eq8RMSsyPXc/VJXg2OsEtLI/AAAAAAAANcA/1iUsNim2f0Q/s1600/MY%2BSIGNATURE.png" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the<a href="http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/"> linky</a> <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">lower</a> right of my sidebar.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-85128852200534165032014-12-07T15:58:00.001-05:002014-12-08T21:55:14.737-05:00Just a Simple Christmas Wish<div style="text-align: center;">
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Unlike November which pushed and roared and bit its way into Michigan...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9xInk-rIfE4/VISlEFKTFEI/AAAAAAAANVo/Ye7sTCrZ3f4/s1600/winter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9xInk-rIfE4/VISlEFKTFEI/AAAAAAAANVo/Ye7sTCrZ3f4/s1600/winter1.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
leaving us in a muffled snow globe...<br />
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December crept in like a lamb.</div>
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Quietly sunny and almost snow free...so far.</div>
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To be honest with you, I am quite liking it.</div>
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I don't have to pull on boots to slog out to the garage.</div>
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No shoveling mounds of snow from the driveway.</div>
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Fear-free driving to the big city. </div>
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Yes....the entire winter could stay just like this if it were up to me.<br />
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These sunny mornings pour into our kitchen like warm syrup,</div>
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creating a cozy place to begin the day.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j4lXt9xvhkc/VIScdXUmJhI/AAAAAAAANUA/ayEUsq6sYTw/s1600/christmas%2Bdecor6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j4lXt9xvhkc/VIScdXUmJhI/AAAAAAAANUA/ayEUsq6sYTw/s1600/christmas%2Bdecor6.jpg" height="634" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
I've been starting my days lately with a couple mugs of tea.<br />
I love coffee, too (a lot), <br />
but <a href="http://www.youngliving.com/en_US">Young Living Essential Oils</a> makes a wonderful<br />
<a href="http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/wellness/weight-management/slique-tea-ocotea-oolong-cacao">Ocotea Oolong Cocao tea</a> enhanced with 100% pure therapeutic grade Frankincense powder<br />
that is light and delicious -<br />
especially with a teaspoon of honey and pinch of cinnamon.</div>
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Sometimes I add in an additional cinnamon flavored tea bag to deepen the flavor.</div>
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I need my tea strong.</div>
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This special tea was created to help decrease appetite and food cravings...</div>
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which so far....is working for me.</div>
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After my morning treadmill run,<br />
I sip it while I go about my daily tasks,</div>
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warming it up every once in a while,</div>
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and completely forgetting about the leftovers in the bulging refrigerator. </div>
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It keeps me moving, motivated, and multi-tasking.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7BRob0UObo/VIScVRVUaOI/AAAAAAAANT4/xZ_GXiMyKMs/s1600/tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7BRob0UObo/VIScVRVUaOI/AAAAAAAANT4/xZ_GXiMyKMs/s1600/tea.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, many things have been accomplished during these past two weeks.<br />
I worked on a dream catcher order for a customer who was giving it as a Christmas gift. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sWJPMWZgbE/VISUNe1BdpI/AAAAAAAANTg/FT-kJWKwtVA/s1600/m.irwin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sWJPMWZgbE/VISUNe1BdpI/AAAAAAAANTg/FT-kJWKwtVA/s1600/m.irwin.jpg" height="640" width="410" /></a></div>
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<br />
Her request was faded blue fabrics.<br />
A friend of mine has been faithfully sending me feathers she finds around her home in Texas,<br />
and I was happy to be able to add them to this dream catcher.<br />
<i>{thank you, Patty!}</i></div>
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<br />
After that was wrapped and ready to deliver,<br />
my attention turned toward a new rug I received from a sweet friend in Florida.<br />
Some rearranging was needed in the living room to accommodate this gorgeous thing<br />
with its faded burgundy and cream design.<br />
<i>{thank you, Heather!}</i><br />
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I pushed the coffee table out of the way and went to whipping rugs around the room for a while,<br />
<i>(great arm workout, btw) </i><br />
trying to create a pleasing-to-the-eye prairie/shabby chic layering affect.</div>
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<br />
Next on the agenda was wrapping gifts for a local nursing home.<br />
Our church was providing some Christmas cheer to the residents there this year.<br />
After thinking about what my own mother would have enjoyed receiving when she was in the nursing home,<br />
I remembered there was a box full of Philosophy <i>"Grace"</i> products stored in my basement that my dad had purchased for my mom during the past couple of years.<br />
Unfortunately, she was never able to use them.<br />
Choking back tears as I wrapped and tied the presents,<br />
I knew they both would have loved knowing<br />
where some of these lotions and perfumes were going to go.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZL6jtHGnQsU/VIScrtVBrwI/AAAAAAAANUI/8uSHPe3pbtQ/s1600/christmas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZL6jtHGnQsU/VIScrtVBrwI/AAAAAAAANUI/8uSHPe3pbtQ/s1600/christmas1.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
December 1st is usually the day when the decorations get hauled down from our cold attic,<br />
but wanting to keep my "mojo" going,<br />
I started early this year on the day following Thanksgiving.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb6PLWZ32y4/VISc4EGYQgI/AAAAAAAANUQ/10Anq7qp_EQ/s1600/christmas%2Bdecor1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb6PLWZ32y4/VISc4EGYQgI/AAAAAAAANUQ/10Anq7qp_EQ/s1600/christmas%2Bdecor1.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Opening up boxes of ornaments each year is almost as delightful as opening up a gift on Christmas morning.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UowvjleSP4k/VISc9UYUElI/AAAAAAAANUY/f5G1QW5h7pY/s1600/christmas%2Bdecor2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UowvjleSP4k/VISc9UYUElI/AAAAAAAANUY/f5G1QW5h7pY/s1600/christmas%2Bdecor2.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
After hours of arranging and rearranging and re-rearranging,<br />
I was relatively happy with what I saw... </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kxWUsu4p_kc/VISdEnwOYkI/AAAAAAAANUg/q-PWs87XiOw/s1600/christmas%2Bdecor3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kxWUsu4p_kc/VISdEnwOYkI/AAAAAAAANUg/q-PWs87XiOw/s1600/christmas%2Bdecor3.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L0rLBNkJj8Q/VISdhPw3jRI/AAAAAAAANU4/lpJEubxHHbk/s1600/christmas2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L0rLBNkJj8Q/VISdhPw3jRI/AAAAAAAANU4/lpJEubxHHbk/s1600/christmas2.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">I adore the German glittered deer created by @shabbybeachygirl. Thank you, Jen!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
...but ended up going with this instead<br />
which satisfied the prairie girl in me. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CCVSWfchUFk/VIS8ZaTZPLI/AAAAAAAANWg/gjoEGs81hFE/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CCVSWfchUFk/VIS8ZaTZPLI/AAAAAAAANWg/gjoEGs81hFE/s1600/tree.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The pink tree was plunked in a wooden bucket on the workbench in my studio<br />
next to the tiny lilac painting my dad created decades ago.<br />
A painting my great-grandmother made sits on the shelf beyond the tree.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJs6K2duuZQ/VIS8e6L1H2I/AAAAAAAANWo/SKpoyezPNrU/s1600/pink%2Btree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJs6K2duuZQ/VIS8e6L1H2I/AAAAAAAANWo/SKpoyezPNrU/s1600/pink%2Btree.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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A Florentine tray full of Christmas bits and bobs sits on the newly stained and white-washed coffee table.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9ZWRYk5tlc/VISdQETlrlI/AAAAAAAANUo/-XKkbAb_bv4/s1600/christmas%2Bdecor5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9ZWRYk5tlc/VISdQETlrlI/AAAAAAAANUo/-XKkbAb_bv4/s1600/christmas%2Bdecor5.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
The mantel definitely spoke to my heart the most, though.<br />
I tend to overdo the decor on the mantel for some reason,<br />
and always-always-always have to take it all apart and start over again, simplifying as I go.<br />
The second time is usually the charm. <br />
<br />
I started with this.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OPz7aAviF1g/VIS-dfzZMoI/AAAAAAAANW0/L-84CgZdiAo/s1600/fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OPz7aAviF1g/VIS-dfzZMoI/AAAAAAAANW0/L-84CgZdiAo/s1600/fireplace.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
And I simplified it to this.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dx84LHaWK9c/VISdXJzUXeI/AAAAAAAANUw/xrQxXVsy4Nc/s1600/christmas%2Bdecor7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dx84LHaWK9c/VISdXJzUXeI/AAAAAAAANUw/xrQxXVsy4Nc/s1600/christmas%2Bdecor7.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
The kitchen decor was kept extremely simple, too.<br />
A couple of ornaments on some vintage dishes and<br />
a bottle brush tree on the sideboard.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NjhQohkjaE/VISdqY4phGI/AAAAAAAANVA/seZ4zjcLnWk/s1600/christmas%2Bdecor4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NjhQohkjaE/VISdqY4phGI/AAAAAAAANVA/seZ4zjcLnWk/s1600/christmas%2Bdecor4.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAeRAmuSvqM/VIS4JpCVncI/AAAAAAAANWI/w4loxE7jzVM/s1600/bottlebrush%2Btree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAeRAmuSvqM/VIS4JpCVncI/AAAAAAAANWI/w4loxE7jzVM/s1600/bottlebrush%2Btree.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The inspiration board in my studio also received a more simplified look<br />
with a RASCC 2015 calender adding a bit of sparkle to the room.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d-aQiJeYRxY/VISeEH6Ov2I/AAAAAAAANVQ/r39qftPhI_c/s1600/christmas3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d-aQiJeYRxY/VISeEH6Ov2I/AAAAAAAANVQ/r39qftPhI_c/s1600/christmas3.jpg" height="556" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Speaking of sparkle,<br />
the sparkle and love of my life celebrated her 12th birthday on December 5.<br />
We gave her a new "baby" named Ruby.<br />
Ruby, the lamb, now goes wherever Maizie goes...<br />
from bed, to dinner, to nap, to potty break.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zCbKMUvnR_o/VISeJGaKJoI/AAAAAAAANVY/boDQsVu98ME/s1600/christmas4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zCbKMUvnR_o/VISeJGaKJoI/AAAAAAAANVY/boDQsVu98ME/s1600/christmas4.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Maizie would have been a wonderful mother.<br />
She treats all of her "babies" with gentle love and attention.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYnIET6v4Fs/VIS5jnFJ2_I/AAAAAAAANWU/wnd-0r35EiI/s1600/maizie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rYnIET6v4Fs/VIS5jnFJ2_I/AAAAAAAANWU/wnd-0r35EiI/s1600/maizie.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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The house is decorated.<br />
The Christmas shopping completed.<br />
The sun is shining.<br />
There's no snow on the ground,<br />
and my little Maizie Grace is happy and healthy. <br />
<br />
Just a simple Christmas wish...come true.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><i>~ Eucharisteo ~</i></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUd6iPMS9pM/VITALLHsrrI/AAAAAAAANXA/VsWw8W2FKbQ/s1600/MY%2BSIGNATURE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUd6iPMS9pM/VITALLHsrrI/AAAAAAAANXA/VsWw8W2FKbQ/s1600/MY%2BSIGNATURE.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">linky</a> <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">parties </a>on the <a href="http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/">lower</a> right of my sidebar. </div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-17258356572873498762014-11-13T14:36:00.001-05:002014-11-13T14:36:30.360-05:00Seasons of the Heart<div style="text-align: center;">
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It's been a busy, busy month here at Heaven's Walk...thus my long absence from Bloglandia.</div>
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My heart seems full to overflowing<br />
and my mind has been stretched to it's limit. <br />
I have truly missed visiting you all and hope to start finding some time in the near future<br />
to stop by and catch up with you all once again.</div>
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Besides the usual seasonal chores like blowing leaves,</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0b_Eni1gzb8/VGQj45hrtqI/AAAAAAAANPk/bwUGIQzDAck/s1600/leaves1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0b_Eni1gzb8/VGQj45hrtqI/AAAAAAAANPk/bwUGIQzDAck/s640/leaves1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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watching the first snowflakes of the season mix with more falling leaves,</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XyhdWyIZA_0/VGQkHD8YSSI/AAAAAAAANPs/iDJPr4G1xG0/s1600/snow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XyhdWyIZA_0/VGQkHD8YSSI/AAAAAAAANPs/iDJPr4G1xG0/s640/snow1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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cleaning gutters,</div>
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winterizing the pond,</div>
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putting the veggie garden to bed,</div>
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storing the porch furniture,</div>
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blowing more leaves,</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aMZ6cFNHtDA/VGQkdLLK4MI/AAAAAAAANP0/mnW0xsS6HbM/s1600/house1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aMZ6cFNHtDA/VGQkdLLK4MI/AAAAAAAANP0/mnW0xsS6HbM/s640/house1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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mowing for the last time,</div>
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hanging up all the hoses in the barn,</div>
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placing heaters in birdbaths,</div>
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blowing even more leaves,</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BNOZ2fy-hc8/VGQraiC1XhI/AAAAAAAANQo/qeZ-OHb7ElA/s1600/garden1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BNOZ2fy-hc8/VGQraiC1XhI/AAAAAAAANQo/qeZ-OHb7ElA/s640/garden1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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covering the fountain and rain barrel,</div>
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and cutting down that huge, old, dangerous mulberry tree in the middle of the yard...</div>
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there's been meetings with lawyers, financial advisors, realtors, and bankers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
over Trusts and Estates and Probate. <br />
It seems to be never ending.</div>
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<br />
I also signed closing papers on my parents' house...</div>
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and watched a young couple walk away with my dad's keys in their hands.</div>
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It was sad. </div>
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Bittersweet.</div>
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Emotional.</div>
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Heaving another huge sigh....I took another step forward in my life ~</div>
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finding it difficult not to look back.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqSFlXjba4A/VGQlDu1XdbI/AAAAAAAANP8/TbXRXUE6X6U/s1600/dad%2Bhouse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqSFlXjba4A/VGQlDu1XdbI/AAAAAAAANP8/TbXRXUE6X6U/s640/dad%2Bhouse1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I mentioned in my previous post,</div>
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I entered the world of Young Living Essential Oils</div>
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and am embracing their incredible healing properties.</div>
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Mind, body, and soul.</div>
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At this time in my life,</div>
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they are so comforting, anchoring, empowering, and grounding ~</div>
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and bring me into God's presence continually throughout the day.</div>
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Their scents remind me of the gifts and blessings He faithfully promises,<br />
and their healing properties have helped both my husband and me sleep more soundly,<br />
reduced our bodily aches and pains, wiped away tension headaches,<br />
and boosted our immune systems. </div>
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<br />
This beautiful blend of oils wafts through the rooms in my old farmhouse every day during this late autumn season</div>
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filling it with a sweet, clean, earthy fragrance.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4S4R8E_ogus/VGQllm_jclI/AAAAAAAANQE/LkLKmpuXWTY/s1600/oil%2Bblend1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4S4R8E_ogus/VGQllm_jclI/AAAAAAAANQE/LkLKmpuXWTY/s640/oil%2Bblend1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Orange boosts immunity, induces relaxation, and reduces depression.</div>
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Clove is antiviral, antioxidant, and creates a sense of protection and courage.</div>
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After a clear mammogram result <i>(the first one since my surgery)</i>,</div>
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I ditched all of the chemical-based perfumes from my medicine cabinet, </div>
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<i>(you'll find only YL oils there now) </i></div>
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and all cleaning supplies from beneath the sink were put in the trash.</div>
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I am using Young Living's natural, cleaning products that are full of clove, lemon, rosemary, cinnamon bark, and eucalyptus radiata. </div>
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Not only is it antiviral and antiseptic, but also antibacterial and anti-infectious ~ </div>
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protecting us from any cold or flu bugs that may make their way into our home. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJQVPDKUyk8/VGQoH1hgRrI/AAAAAAAANQQ/E2I1sb5U2bs/s1600/thieves1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJQVPDKUyk8/VGQoH1hgRrI/AAAAAAAANQQ/E2I1sb5U2bs/s640/thieves1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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While the temperatures slowly sink into the 20s and 30s and winter makes its unwelcome appearance,<br />
homemade French onion soup simmers on the stove next to a French baguette topped with Gruyere cheese.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cmoiBWihgng/VGQoeeKrz8I/AAAAAAAANQY/7XanhtoO9Iw/s1600/onion%2Bsoup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cmoiBWihgng/VGQoeeKrz8I/AAAAAAAANQY/7XanhtoO9Iw/s640/onion%2Bsoup1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Maizie Grace waits patiently for her own dinner ~ with Flopsy close by.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IecEe2jVo9w/VGQrA15EcSI/AAAAAAAANQg/KkrrtNvgnTs/s1600/kitchen1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IecEe2jVo9w/VGQrA15EcSI/AAAAAAAANQg/KkrrtNvgnTs/s640/kitchen1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After dinner, surgery is performed on her Bear.</div>
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Her maternal instinct kicks into high gear as she nervously lays at my feet,</div>
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watching my every move...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CgKFm3CH31I/VGQtKfHCJOI/AAAAAAAANQw/CO1L3TO4wsA/s1600/maizie.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CgKFm3CH31I/VGQtKfHCJOI/AAAAAAAANQw/CO1L3TO4wsA/s640/maizie.2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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until...</div>
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arm reattached...</div>
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her beloved 'baby' is safe and sound.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQySnsdFGdM/VGQtvUbbbeI/AAAAAAAANQ4/OMTw9qSlf8s/s1600/maizie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="632" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQySnsdFGdM/VGQtvUbbbeI/AAAAAAAANQ4/OMTw9qSlf8s/s640/maizie1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was also time for me to step into the 21st century.</div>
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I finally upgraded to a smart phone and practiced posting to Instagram by taking some photos around the house.</div>
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It's such a joy to continue to connect with friends from all over the world via another media venue.</div>
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I'm still learning my way around this phone that uncannily seems to know more than I do,</div>
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but am enjoying the challenge. </div>
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So, as Michigan bids farewell to a short summer,</div>
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an even shorter autumn,</div>
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and watches warily as winter creeps in...</div>
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I pray that we are spared from another overwhelming season like we experienced last year</div>
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when this was the continual view out my kitchen window</div>
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<i>before</i> we had over 100 inches of the cold, white stuff</div>
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for six long, dreary months. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rUb3dxc1CDA/VGQxUD7cUWI/AAAAAAAANRk/RwbiEvfRwFE/s1600/snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rUb3dxc1CDA/VGQxUD7cUWI/AAAAAAAANRk/RwbiEvfRwFE/s640/snow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I will swipe on my favorite YL oils to keep me healthy,</div>
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rub some on the Husband's sore shoulder and neck,</div>
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clean my house with clove and rosemary,</div>
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share IG photos,</div>
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close my eyes, </div>
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count the days,</div>
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and dream </div>
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of </div>
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this...</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HCMWEKYXiIQ/VGQz8pB__3I/AAAAAAAANRs/1Qv6YZNx_po/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HCMWEKYXiIQ/VGQz8pB__3I/AAAAAAAANRs/1Qv6YZNx_po/s640/beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><i>~ Eucharisteo ~</i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pI707GacfJE/VGQ2ddz6wbI/AAAAAAAANR0/MuNdTdtjRZw/s1600/MY%2BSIGNATURE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="//3.bp.blogspot.com/-pI707GacfJE/VGQ2ddz6wbI/AAAAAAAANR0/MuNdTdtjRZw/s1600/MY%2BSIGNATURE.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">linky</a> <a href="http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">lower</a> right of my sidebar.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-42990374640355492152014-10-15T19:58:00.000-04:002014-10-16T11:24:01.623-04:00A Healing Gift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Scents....fragrances....aromas...</div>
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they play a huge part in our life.</div>
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They conjure up memories of people, places, and things in our past.</div>
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They embrace us, emotionally heal us, bring us joy.</div>
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They are part of what defines us.</div>
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A part of who we are. </div>
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The saltiness of the ocean brings me back to vacations at the beach.</div>
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The earthy freshness of cut grass reminds me of my dad teaching me how to mow the lawn when I was a young girl.</div>
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The scent of lilacs makes me feel my mom's warm embrace. </div>
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The popcorn smell of my Maizie's furry feet makes me smile.</div>
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Scents were one of the reasons why my curiosity got the best of me, when at the gentle nudging of a couple close girlfriends, I ordered some essential oils to try.</div>
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I couldn't wait to start diffusing and filling my home with beautiful fragrances that were more clean and natural than the chemical filled plug-ins that I had been using for years.</div>
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But then.....</div>
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I started reading.</div>
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A lot.</div>
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The more I read about the oils and the more testimonies I heard about their healing properties, </div>
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the more intrigued and committed I became.</div>
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Was it just my boho-hippy soul that was being awaken?</div>
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No. </div>
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It was deeper than that.</div>
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It was a calling to my spiritual heart.</div>
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It was a spiritual re-awakening.</div>
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I bought an essential oils reference book.</div>
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I also bought a book called <i>"Healing Oils of the Bible"</i>.</div>
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I found myself soaking up every bit of information in them that I could.</div>
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As I began reading and learning and educating myself, something turned in my soul.</div>
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I realized that as each oil drop soaked into my skin and sank into my cells,</div>
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they contained life force and energy that can indeed bring healing.</div>
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They were a healing gift from God.</div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>"When God created the plants by his speaking voice, he imbued them with his Word and his intelligence. This includes the oils of the plants which he intended, from their very creation, to become our medicines when we need healing. This is what is so special about essential oils. They contain power from God's Word. Essential oils are divinely ordained as medicines for God's children and are meant to be used with God's guidance, accompanied by prayer."</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>~excerpt from "Healing Oils of the Bible</i></span>" <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">by David Stewart</span></i></span></span></div>
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Now, I've always been a bit of a slacker when starting my day out with prayer.</div>
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The best time for me to pray is when I'm driving someplace because it's just God and me in the car.</div>
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I can talk with him endlessly there. </div>
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Or when in church because I'm in his house....his sanctuary...</div>
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and I feel his Presence and reverence so tangibly there.</div>
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But applying these oils every morning upon rising</div>
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seem to bring me into instant communication with Him. </div>
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The scents remind me of him somehow.</div>
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I <i>feel</i> him.</div>
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I smell his comforting Goodness. </div>
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I feel grounded and focused and close to him ~</div>
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and at this point in my life, I desperately need that. </div>
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When I catch the scents on me during the day,</div>
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I'm instantly brought back into his Presence.</div>
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I actually find myself praying more,</div>
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whispering names of people who need him and his healing touch;</div>
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lifting up my worries and fears to him;</div>
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thanking him in endless gratitude for the blessings he's poured over me. </div>
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I feel blessed in a way I can't even describe.</div>
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The media brings us news of viruses and epidemics circling the globe and entering our lives at an alarming rate. It's a frightening realization how fragile we humans are.</div>
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So, in response....I oil and diffuse.</div>
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Not only in an attempt to bring myself closer to God than ever before where I feel safe and secure ~ </div>
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but to fill my body with clean, natural, immune boosting strength</div>
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to ward off the evils of the world around me. </div>
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I use his oils to protect.</div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>"...Their fruit will be for meat and their leaves for healing..." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>~Ezekiel 47:12</i></span></span></div>
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Every day begins with Joy spread over my heart.</div>
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Valor is swiped at the back of my neck.</div>
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EndoFlex stroked on my throat. </div>
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Thieves rolled on my feet.</div>
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PanAway for any pains.</div>
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Lavender to soothe and calm. </div>
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Patchouli on my wrists...just because my boho heart loves the scent.</div>
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I keep Lemon, Tangerine, Peppermint, and Ocotea</div>
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in a jar in my pantry to drip into my glasses of water during the day.</div>
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Thieves is diffused throughout our bedroom each night to clean the air of germs.</div>
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It was tested to contain potent antimicrobial properties and can kill 99.96% of airborne bacteria.</div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"> <i>"When we use antibiotics to overcome a bacterial infection, we are left in a weakened state. Our immune systems have been compromised. Until we can re-establish a new culture of friendly bacteria into our bodies, we are more susceptible to to the next illness that might come along. When we use oils to fight bad bacteria, our systems come out stronger. Our immune systems have been strengthened. Our beneficial bacteria have been untouched. We are better able to deal with the next barrage of disease-causing germs that come along."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">~ excerpt from "Healing Oils of the Bible"</span></i></span></div>
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I quickly learned this while watching my mother fight off C-Diff more than once this past winter. Each round of antibiotics weakened her system, and C-Diff would return to badger her frail body time and time again. </div>
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I wish I had known about these healing oils back in January.</div>
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God's healing gift supports us in so many ways.</div>
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As fighters against unfriendly microbes</div>
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As balancers of bodily functions</div>
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As raisers of our bodily frequencies</div>
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As antioxidants that purify our systems</div>
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As clearers of negative emotional baggage</div>
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As uplifters of our spiritual awareness</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>~Revelation 22:2</i></span></span></div>
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I am a believer.</div>
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In God and in the Trinity.</div>
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I also believe in his healing oils that he gifted to us as "a fragrant offering", as "an acceptable gift", and as "pleasing to Him". </div>
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I read that there are over 900 references of essential oils in the Bible.</div>
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The three wise men brought frankincense and myrrh to baby Jesus, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and myrrh was one of the first and last oils received by Christ. </div>
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Mary and Joseph would have known that frankincense oil was good for anything from cuts and bruises to the common cold. They would use it through Jesus' infancy to help protect him and keep him strong and healthy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Oil of joy", "oil of gladness", and "ointments rejoice the heart" are all referenced in the Bible </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in books like Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Hebrews, Mark, and James.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KlM-2BQ_g7c/VD7QOROZ14I/AAAAAAAANMQ/aWFns-vMs5Y/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KlM-2BQ_g7c/VD7QOROZ14I/AAAAAAAANMQ/aWFns-vMs5Y/s1600/1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a64d79;">"Precious treasure and oil remain in the house of the wise."</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">~Proverbs 21:20</span></i></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The ancient people of the Holy Land
understood this quite well. They used aromatic oils to maintain
wellness, for physical healing, to enhance their spirituality in
worship, for emotional cleansing, and for purification from sin.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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And in peace, joy, and gratitude ~</div>
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I accept this healing gift,</div>
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<br /></div>
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and will do the same.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>~ Eucharisteo ~</i></span></span></span></div>
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<i>Contact me if you're interested in learning more about these life changing oils!</i><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the<a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/"> linky</a> <a href="http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">lower</a> right of my sidebar.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-5713695618301866862014-10-08T16:06:00.000-04:002014-10-08T16:45:53.192-04:00Grounding<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<i style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">"When was the last time you felt the stinging gift in your own eyes, this most natural reminder that you are alive, here, human?</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Maybe it’s been a while for you. There’s nothing wrong with that. But the next time the tears rise up to meet </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">you, don’t brush them aside. Greet them, receive them, and listen for the life they bring."</span> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #a64d79;">~Ann Voskamp</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4mplib2cEk/VCimvqj2hmI/AAAAAAAANI4/M54CLNY-GJg/s1600/being%2Bborn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4mplib2cEk/VCimvqj2hmI/AAAAAAAANI4/M54CLNY-GJg/s1600/being%2Bborn.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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A roller coaster year of emotions<br />
<br />
bringing me up<br />
letting me fall<br />
affirmation of my human-ness<br />
confirmation of a life full up with love<br />
<br />
feeling untangled<br />
becoming unraveled<br />
<br />
living<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yVfyh-FJVs/VDVHrsPlnBI/AAAAAAAANJk/3NYn7lFhAaQ/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yVfyh-FJVs/VDVHrsPlnBI/AAAAAAAANJk/3NYn7lFhAaQ/s1600/8.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #a64d79;">"Every single one of our life-aches, large and small,
has a response from a God who put on skin so that we might know His scent and
feel His calloused hands and live in a nearness to this beauty that would
forever keep us coming back to sit at His feet.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<i><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Pain invites us to see.</b>
<b>Him</b>."</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: x-small;">~Sara Hagerty, author</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0e7QbL_gpw/VDVFwIJFDDI/AAAAAAAANJQ/P16qcJXZmvg/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0e7QbL_gpw/VDVFwIJFDDI/AAAAAAAANJQ/P16qcJXZmvg/s1600/2.jpg" height="488" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I see.<br />
I hear.<br />
I feel like never before.<br />
The pain of loss has opened my eyes to an even deeper grounding of my being in the love of Christ.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bKeOGPtpzrA/VDVGC6yIc2I/AAAAAAAANJY/GjQ4CLtiW6g/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bKeOGPtpzrA/VDVGC6yIc2I/AAAAAAAANJY/GjQ4CLtiW6g/s1600/9.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
learning<br />
discovering<br />
opening<br />
embracing<br />
<br />
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<i><span style="color: #c27ba0;">"I don’t waste anything in your life, including your suffering. I use it to teach you important lessons here and now. But there is more. Your troubles are also accomplishing something in heavenly realms. They are achieving eternal Glory—contributing to the reward you will receive in heaven." </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: x-small;">~Jesus Today by Sarah Young</span></i></div>
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My devotional book lays open before me on the table.<br />
Eyes drinking in the words.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wcPfzP8Axs8/VDVTh4M5EPI/AAAAAAAANKo/3A0H4WA1raA/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wcPfzP8Axs8/VDVTh4M5EPI/AAAAAAAANKo/3A0H4WA1raA/s1600/2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
scents surround me<br />
lifting my spirit<br />
calming my soul<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9KknFsW67U/VDVFOR7mlII/AAAAAAAANJI/DeW7aZqj6Gk/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9KknFsW67U/VDVFOR7mlII/AAAAAAAANJI/DeW7aZqj6Gk/s1600/7.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2a1jwIxM7cg/VDVI-gX9iwI/AAAAAAAANJ0/N2FFVtnPVuQ/s1600/92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2a1jwIxM7cg/VDVI-gX9iwI/AAAAAAAANJ0/N2FFVtnPVuQ/s1600/92.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://heavens-walk.blogspot.com/2013/07/passion-grace.html</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I inhale His goodness<br />
letting it fill my heart<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The essential oils ground me.<br />
Define me.<br />
Heal me.<br />
<br />
Valor swiped on the back of my neck for strength and courage.<br />
Joy rubbed over my heart for happiness.<br />
Peace & Calming fill the room with tranquility.<br />
Patchouli's earthiness like a warm hug.<br />
Biblical oils.<br />
The original source of healing for<br />
mind<br />
body<br />
spirit.<br />
<br />
Sitting in the stillness of His presence<br />
I prepare to face the day.<br />
<br />
to hear His voice<br />
to follow His guidance<br />
to live in a nearness to His beauty<br />
<br />
hope<br />
purpose<br />
strength<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yEPZljTs3h0/VDVIgnK-5II/AAAAAAAANJs/uxx5X3hrRYc/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yEPZljTs3h0/VDVIgnK-5II/AAAAAAAANJs/uxx5X3hrRYc/s1600/6.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And as I learn to live with loss...<br />
I learn to feel even more the <i>grace</i> of Him.<br />
<br />
accepting it<br />
breathing it<br />
filling it<br />
releasing it<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXz2Rs659hg/VDVOLNT5tjI/AAAAAAAANKM/VfZOuJ5FmB8/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXz2Rs659hg/VDVOLNT5tjI/AAAAAAAANKM/VfZOuJ5FmB8/s1600/3.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Finding my deepest fulfillment of my heart in Him alone.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uJIyNO0p-rw/VDVOuAXmaOI/AAAAAAAANKc/ZGQmJt6Ys_w/s1600/93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uJIyNO0p-rw/VDVOuAXmaOI/AAAAAAAANKc/ZGQmJt6Ys_w/s1600/93.jpg" height="640" width="584" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Breathing <i>Him</i><br />
<br />
Breathing Life<br />
<br />
Grounded...<br />
using one of God's healing gifts.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">~ Eucharisteo ~</span></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RBdLrtuz9o/VDVVEqWCjfI/AAAAAAAANLA/RlngjIxZVA8/s1600/MY%2BSIGNATURE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RBdLrtuz9o/VDVVEqWCjfI/AAAAAAAANLA/RlngjIxZVA8/s1600/MY%2BSIGNATURE.png" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">linky</a> <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/">lower</a> right of my sidebar.<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxdvcROMkGI/VDWVMvs03BI/AAAAAAAANLM/4PjLV1lwFa0/s1600/YL%2BInd%2BDist%2Btag.jpg" height="91" width="200" /></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-42735145893543102452014-09-21T18:09:00.000-04:002014-09-21T18:09:25.090-04:00An Early Autumn Day...<br />
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These early autumn days have been incredibly beautiful here in Michigan.</div>
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Crisp, cool nights give way to cool, sunny mornings where the sunshine lasts all day long.</div>
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Days when you can tug on jeans, pull on a long sleeve tee, and slip into a pair of comfy, worn boots.<br />
Days where you can almost watch the reds and gold tinge the tips of the trees. </div>
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I wake to another glorious morning,<br />
push the Husband out of bed to get him on his way,<br />
and make plans to begin my own day. </div>
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<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wqXpdGQBB58/VB34Fwef4PI/AAAAAAAANGo/uuBqFS2fQ6w/s1600/bedroom2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iZJ3RhbL8GQ/VB34W4aRYDI/AAAAAAAANGw/4jProZ4IBfg/s1600/bedroom5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iZJ3RhbL8GQ/VB34W4aRYDI/AAAAAAAANGw/4jProZ4IBfg/s1600/bedroom5.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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With a list of chores stacked like cord wood in my head, </div>
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I was anxious to get started.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBltupohaWo/VB3tZlM13uI/AAAAAAAANGQ/_aFtzwccFrg/s1600/kitchen1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBltupohaWo/VB3tZlM13uI/AAAAAAAANGQ/_aFtzwccFrg/s1600/kitchen1.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of my outdoor work had been completed the previous day.</div>
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Hostas were moved and roses and hydrangeas were planted in their place.</div>
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I planned on working inside this cool day ~</div>
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in a kitchen filled with bright, cozy sunlight. </div>
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Freezing more sweet corn was first on the list, using the four minute microwave method. </div>
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<i>I still can't get over how much easier this is and how well it turns out.</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq9zgC4ckSE/VB3tKXH3A7I/AAAAAAAANGI/3AohcDSUngE/s1600/corn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq9zgC4ckSE/VB3tKXH3A7I/AAAAAAAANGI/3AohcDSUngE/s1600/corn.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Next up: Butternut squash, which didn't perform quite as well this year in the garden, </div>
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but I did manage to freeze enough to get us through the winter months.</div>
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I baked it for about two and a half hours at 250 degrees,</div>
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scooped it out into a bowl, added a touch of butter and salt, </div>
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and then freezer bagged it.<br />
<br />
<i>(It's a great substitute for mashed potatoes if you're watching your carb intake,</i><br />
<i>although the butter and salt I put on it probably cancels every good thing out.</i><br />
<i>And no....I don't like sweet squash. It's got to be savory for this farm girl.) </i></div>
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<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tlU6lq02Olw/VB3qugd4LXI/AAAAAAAANEo/YPOLd2GrLj4/s1600/squash3.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></div>
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Spaghetti squash, which is my favorite, was next on the agenda.</div>
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<i>(I chopped off the stems to send to a <a href="http://waysidetreasures-sandi.blogspot.com/">Sandy at Wayside Treasures</a></i></div>
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<i>who creates sweet fabric pumpkins to sell in her Etsy shop.) </i><br />
<br />
Now, slicing into any type of squash is not easy and can be a little intimidating.<br />
I stick my knife in and cut in down one half,<br />
flip it around... <br />
and then grabbing the knife by its handle,<br />
slam the whole squash on the counter til the blade goes through.<br />
<br />
Barbaric...<i>(sigh)</i>....yes, I know.<br />
But it works for me<br />
<i>(and gets the neighbors wondering what in the world is going on over here, I'm sure). </i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to slam.</td></tr>
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After laying them face side down in jelly pans with a bit of water,</div>
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they baked slowly at 250 degrees for about two hours,<br />
filling the house with a wonderful autumnal scent<br />
<i>(and sets my hunger bells madly ringing). </i></div>
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I like to under-cook this type of squash a bit so that it doesn't get too mushy when its rewarmed,</div>
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and then scrape the "noodles" out with a big fork.</div>
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This is a healthier way of eating 'pasta'</div>
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when that spaghetti craving hits me like a Mac truck this winter....<br />
and I know it will.<br />
<br />
<i>(My stomach is about comfort food, you know...</i><br />
<i>however my PiYo coach tends to differ.)</i></div>
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<br />
It's also very good with some butter, a dash of Himalayan pink salt or Herbamare, <br />
and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese ~<br />
<i>(or swimming under a pool of marinara sauce). </i><br />
We've also used our own canned tomatoes poured over it which, of course,<br />
is healthier yet.</div>
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The next project on my list was repainting my craft cabinet</div>
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with a layer of ASCP <i>'Antoinette'</i> lightened a shade with <i>'Old White'</i>. <br />
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<i>(Yes, I know. Some days I'm just all over the place...) </i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tXQ748J1Ppg/VB3ru5h0sbI/AAAAAAAANFA/KfIAO9SQL6c/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tXQ748J1Ppg/VB3ru5h0sbI/AAAAAAAANFA/KfIAO9SQL6c/s1600/1.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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As much as I adored the turquoise blue I had originally painted it,<br />
<i>(which you can see <a href="http://heavens-walk.blogspot.com/2014/02/vintage-blue-cabinet.html">here</a>) </i><br />
I felt like it was taking up too much "visual space" in my small studio. </div>
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This pale pink lends a much more quiet, spacious feel to the room now.</div>
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Bits of blue showed through after some light distressing.</div>
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A vintage French altar candelabra with pale purple bisque flowers found a place on top</div>
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next to my new favorite rose, <i>'Faith'</i>. </div>
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<i>Thank you, Heather, for this amazing treasure.</i><br />
<i>I love it. </i></div>
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<br />
<br />
The petals on the <i>'Faith'</i> roses don't even look real.<br />
So very perfect in every way. <br />
And they bloom out into a huge mass of full, blowsy, ruffled femininity.<br />
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So, as the sun slowly bent to kiss the horizon,</div>
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feeling tired but pleased with the day's work,</div>
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I kicked off my boots</div>
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and collapsed into a fresh, sweet smelling bed of RASCC <i>'Rosabelle'</i> linens...</div>
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<br />
and thanked the good Lord for sunny autumns,<br />
productive days,</div>
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and a cozy, blessed home.</div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~ Eucharisteo ~</span></i></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://the-chicken-chick.com/">linky</a> <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">lower</a> right of my sidebar.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-73503826292936028082014-09-08T20:49:00.001-04:002014-09-08T20:49:31.041-04:00Pouring Out Blessings<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been a tough year.</div>
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A year of facing fears,</div>
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of grasping tightly to faith,</div>
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and a pouring out of many blessings.</div>
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When my parents made their journey to heaven four months ago,</div>
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cards arrived in my mailbox.</div>
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A lot of cards.</div>
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Cards full of words of love, prayers, and encouragement from loving friends and family members.</div>
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Cards that meant so much to my broken heart. </div>
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Each of them were like a comforting hug.</div>
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Two of those cards were sent to me from my sisters-in-law and their husbands.</div>
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Inside were gift certificates to a local nursery that I had driven past numerous times on the way to my parents' house, but had never taken the time to stop. </div>
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Written in the cards was their wish for me to purchase something special for my gardens</div>
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in remembrance of my parents.</div>
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During the next few months, I thought long and hard about what would be the perfect tribute.</div>
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A new rose bush, a statue, a tree... </div>
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but my wish for a small white arbor for our garage service door kept nudging my mind.</div>
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I envisioned it covered in roses and clematis.</div>
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So, when my husband and I took the trailer one last time to my parents' house last week to pick up the last of the things needed to be cleared out, we stopped at the nursery to look at their arbors.</div>
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Under bright blue skies and warm sunshine, we walked around the property.</div>
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The sound of trickling water immediately surrounded and entranced us.</div>
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When we turned the corner, there stood a beautiful fountain beckoning me to come closer.</div>
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It danced and splashed and totally enthralled me.</div>
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It was almost musical. </div>
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I loved it.</div>
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I knew immediately that this special fountain would be the perfect tribute to my loving parents</div>
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who had filled our house with music in one way or another.</div>
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As the clerk rang up the gift certificates, I scrounged through my wallet to pay her the rest of what was owed.</div>
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My husband suddenly, lovingly, tucked some money into my hand with a simple, </div>
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<i>"Here. I'll take care of the rest,"</i> he said, smiling.</div>
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I couldn't swallow the huge lump in my throat. </div>
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I choked out a weak, <i>"Thank you so much, honey."</i></div>
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We hugged while the clerk looked on with soft questions in her eyes.</div>
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And do you want to know something?</div>
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That nursery didn't carry any arbors.</div>
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Not a one. </div>
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It dawned on me that God thought that this fountain was a much better choice. </div>
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A few days later on a perfect late summer day,</div>
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I dismantled my old flea market birdbath in the center of the catmint,</div>
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and assembled the new fountain.</div>
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It brought back fond memories of my times setting them up at the landscape company where I used to work. </div>
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The music trickled and danced and splashed through the garden...</div>
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and I could see my parents smiling down on me~</div>
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knowing the joy I was feeling.</div>
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I stood back and allowed a sob to escape.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcCDxpTR6DU/VAzt3dlVImI/AAAAAAAANB4/9ZJr9aAvNi0/s1600/fountain4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcCDxpTR6DU/VAzt3dlVImI/AAAAAAAANB4/9ZJr9aAvNi0/s1600/fountain4.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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My eyes welled with bittersweet tears</div>
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as garden music filled my soul...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7t6hlL32YgQ/VAzuBWVeYxI/AAAAAAAANCA/s8nqCO3xlpQ/s1600/fountain5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7t6hlL32YgQ/VAzuBWVeYxI/AAAAAAAANCA/s8nqCO3xlpQ/s1600/fountain5.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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...and the fountain poured out blessings...</div>
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quenching my thirsty soul. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">~ Eucharisteo ~</span></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">linky</a> <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://the-chicken-chick.com/">lower</a> right of my sidebar.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-15430132280799741422014-09-01T21:47:00.000-04:002014-09-01T21:47:03.656-04:00Transitional Season<div style="text-align: center;">
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The soft pastels of summer are quickly slipping away,</div>
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being replaced by the Crayola colors of autumn.</div>
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Changes are taking place at Heaven's Walk, too.</div>
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It's a transitional time.</div>
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The tomatoes in our organic garden ripened beautifully with the rains and coolness of the passing summer. It was time to can our infamous salsa.</div>
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After four sessions, 300 pints and quarts were ready for the pantry shelves</div>
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to be enjoyed in the cold months ahead</div>
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in chili, goulash, soups, roasts, and dips.</div>
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Numerous quarts of sweet corn and green beans were frozen and nestled next to the 15 quarts of blueberries already in the freezer.</div>
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I did take some time off to do some antiquing and hit the Allegan Antique Market on Sunday.</div>
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My radar is always tuned in to vintage rugs, old tables, and any bit of bling,</div>
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and was thrilled to take home this French-inspired upholstered chair.</div>
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It is an identical match to the one I already have at my desk. </div>
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I couldn't believe it.</div>
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A soft gold and purple prayer rug was given to me for half price after standing and staring at it for a while. I guess the vendor got tired of me drooling over it.</div>
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And, of course, who could resist that sweet blue vase?</div>
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The little primitive table stole my heart with her square nails, pine green chippy top, and deep mauve base. I had been looking for something a bit more rustic for my living room</div>
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to 'ground' all the white.</div>
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After debating whether or not to take my paintbrush to it,</div>
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I asked for help from my sweet friend, Tausha, and followed her trusted suggestion.</div>
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I lightly sanded the top to remove some of the stains and paint splotches,</div>
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then rubbed on a coat of ASCP clear wax to protect it.</div>
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It was shabby perfection.</div>
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It brought a feeling of depth, warmth, and coziness to the room.</div>
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Perfect with dusty mauves, blues, and pinks,</div>
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and complimenting vintage oak floors.</div>
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I also created a dream catcher for a friend of a friend who is battling cancer.</div>
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I felt honored to do this for her,</div>
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and pray that it brings her peace and joy.</div>
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I sold a member of my family, too.</div>
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My 1996 Blazer had served me well,</div>
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and it was time for her to move on.</div>
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We sold her in five days...</div>
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...and welcomed a 2009 Acadia into our fold.</div>
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We purchased it from my sister-in-law.</div>
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I must be honest and tell you that I have never had such a luxurious vehicle in all my life.</div>
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I am beyond humbled and thrilled. </div>
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I love driving it.</div>
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So, with a full pantry and freezer,</div>
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a dependable vehicle in my garage,</div>
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and watching autumn quietly explode in the tree tops ~</div>
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I now turn my attention to selling my parents' house </div>
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before winter makes its cold, snowy appearance,</div>
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when I will snuggle in to my favorite place to be...</div>
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here at Heaven's Walk.</div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>~ Eucharisteo ~</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">linky </a><a href="http://the-chicken-chick.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">lower </a>right of my sidebar.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-76576571529698008042014-08-15T20:36:00.001-04:002014-08-15T20:36:38.493-04:00The Healing Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My husband and I recently celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary,<br />
and he asked if there was anything special that I wanted to do.<br />
To celebrate this momentous occasion each year, we usually meander out to Lake Michigan, stopping at antique shops and roadside farm stands along the way, reconnecting with shop owners we've come to know.<br />
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But this year...<br />
this year I felt the need to reconnect with my past.<br />
After spending countless hours during the past couple months sorting through old photos and slides discovered in my parents' basement,<br />
I desperately needed to touch and feel a physical yearning turning deep within my soul.<br />
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God was calling me to <i>remember</i>.<br />
<i>Embrace</i>.<br />
<i>Never forget</i>. <br />
<i>This is who you are.</i><br />
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So, we headed out to Port Sheldon where I spent many summers during my childhood,<br />
to where my grandparent's cottage once stood.<br />
To the private beach where there was no noise from the outside world.<br />
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I was surprised that once we got close,<br />
the directions, the landmarks,<br />
all came back to me.<br />
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As we pulled onto that quiet, sandy drive beneath ancient, towering trees,<br />
my heart began to pound. <br />
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I remembered this all so well.</div>
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It seemed like yesterday,</div>
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when it had actually been years and years. </div>
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The memories became alive. </div>
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We got out of the car and stood together,</div>
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taking in the cool, peaceful quiet of the beach woods.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Inhaling the fragrant mix of damp earth, wet sand, pines, and the lake.</div>
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I wanted to bottle it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To infuse my entire being with it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
We walked hand in hand,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
silently,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
down the two-track. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I suddenly stopped in front of the old stairs that led up to our cottage.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I looked up and saw the cottage that had been built on our foundation.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My heart wrenched.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I felt tears welling.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Memories were sharp. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pulling.<br />
Bursting inside me like diamonds hard to contain. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Hands carrying multiple baskets and boxes of food.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Beach towels thrown over shoulders.</i></div>
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<i>My brother and I dancing around my parents in anxious happiness...</i></div>
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My husband and I moved on past the two cottages that had been there since the 1930's.<br />
Parents of a long ago high school friend still owned this wonderful old place.<br />
It made me happy...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and very envious.<br />
<br />
Our cottage used to look similar to it with the cinder block foundation and large screened porch. </div>
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Cottages are built very close down these little beach roads tucked in the woods.</div>
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The vintage ones have such beautiful character.</div>
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We exited the wooded area, and as we stepped into the opening, I looked to my right. </div>
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The old foot boards that once led to the beach from our old cottage lay in the sand.</div>
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<br />
Our gaze swung to the scene that lay before us.<br />
We were speechless.<br />
We felt awe ~ like we were in God's sanctuary.<br />
The distant sound of soft, deep rumbling waves on the shore called. <br />
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<br />
<br />
I took off my flip-flops and walked the old boardwalk to the beach.<br />
I wanted to feel the sandy wood beneath my feet again.<br />
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<br />
<br />
We walked without talking.<br />
Words were not needed ~ nor desired.<br />
We just wanted to breathe it all in.<br />
Each in our own beautiful world.<br />
Each just <i>feeling</i>. <br />
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<br />
<br />
The old Pigeon Lake pier still reached out into Lake Michigan,<br />
the power plant pipes old and rusted.<br />
A soft breeze rustled the beach grass.<br />
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<br />
Emotions began to rise in my heart as we stood there.<br />
We were the only people on the beach.<br />
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<br />
<br />
I stood there and tried to control my emotions.<br />
To stop the flood of tears that were filling my soul.<br />
<br />
When my husband walked up to me and gently put his arm around me,<br />
knowing<br />
sensing<br />
my feelings.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
The waves lapped onto the shore.<br />
The seagull cried overhead.<br />
My heart cried. <br />
<br />
This.<br />
THIS is what heaven must look like.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
I turned and looked back up the boardwalk toward "Old Baldy",<br />
where from the top of that towering dune<br />
you could see for eternity.<br />
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<br />
My brother and I used to crazily run down as fast as we could go without tumbling head over heels...<br />
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and would end up at water's edge jumping waves.<br />
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<br />
Our cottage used to be beneath that tall, trimmed up pine<br />
next to the gray house with white shutters.<br />
We used to have a big cinder block "lookout" patio where we would sit on Grandma and Grandpa's laps and watch the sun kiss the lake each night.<br />
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<br />
My husband and I started walking along the shore,<br />
letting the cool water tickle our sandy toes.<br />
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The water was crisp, clear, and clean. <br />
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<br />
As we walked, I noticed that the beach was much smaller than it used to be.<br />
It was almost as if the dunes had pushed their way toward the water, decade by decade,<br />
leaving only a quarter of the large, sandy beach that used to be there 45 years ago.<br />
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<br />
We walked over the sand where my brother and I once built sandcastles with Dad,<br />
while Mom looked on from a large beach towel while pulling out sandwiches<br />
from the old wicker basket, and lemonade chilled in the Coleman cooler. <br />
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<br />
Emotions ran rampant throughout my heart.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They were so bittersweet. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
We walked to an old bench sitting amidst the beach grass;<br />
and shared feelings of awe,<br />
grandeur,<br />
amazement,<br />
gratitude,<br />
and complete and utter peace. <br />
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<br />
It was so <i>quiet</i>.<br />
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<br />
I didn't want to leave this place of beauty.<br />
This closeness to God I felt.<br />
I wanted to close out the world,<br />
wrap myself up in it,<br />
and just <i>be</i>.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Minutes and moments passed.<br />
I don't know how long we sat there just soaking it all in<br />
and becoming one with God's creation.<br />
<br />
But with my husband's gentle nudging, despite my sad cries of despair,<br />
we turned our faces toward the beach woods<br />
and headed back up the boardwalk.<br />
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<br />
Once again,<br />
we walked quietly.<br />
Reverently.<br />
As if leaving a sacred place.<br />
<br />
Tears stung my eyes.<br />
<br />
I didn't want to let go of this.<br />
Of <i>me</i>. <br />
Because I somehow felt differently here.<br />
More whole.<br />
More healed.<br />
More complete.<br />
<br />
I felt like I was leaving a piece of me behind.<br />
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<br />
As we entered the damp coolness of the woods,<br />
my feet stopped at the old block staircase again.<br />
I found myself moving up them.<br />
Slowly.<br />
Hesitantly.<br />
Not wanting to disturb or invade anyone's privacy.<br />
But I just <i>had</i> to get closer to where our cottage used to stand so proudly in the woods. <br />
<br />
I remembered our small, flip-flopped feet scampering up these same stairs<br />
summer after summer,<br />
past the ferns and vines that had flourished since the cottage burned down those many years ago.<br />
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<br />
<br />
I'm not sure how soon after we lost our cottage that this one was built,<br />
but the footprint was the same.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vS8nQJqlGKE/U-1gdoUSQeI/AAAAAAAAMlY/CyOdSCxYp40/s1600/9998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vS8nQJqlGKE/U-1gdoUSQeI/AAAAAAAAMlY/CyOdSCxYp40/s1600/9998.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I stood and looked that the cinder block wall were I used to collect lady bugs in Coke bottles;<br />
my mother delighting in each one and suggesting I draw pictures of them with my crayons. <br />
<br />
I suddenly wanted to live here.<br />
The urge, the need....so incredibly strong. <br />
I wanted to sink back into the comforting arms of my beloved memories,<br />
give up everything I own,<br />
and <i>live</i> here.<br />
<br />
I wanted it with my whole being.<br />
My whole heart. <br />
Deeply.<br />
Oh so strongly. <br />
I wanted to live among the sweet memories of my family<br />
while creating new ones of my own.<br />
I felt like I owed that to my parents and grandparents...<br />
to honor them...<br />
to cherish them in a tangible way. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DMs2XxDsB9I/U-1gTgYSq5I/AAAAAAAAMlQ/sKuTPPEB-Vk/s1600/9997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DMs2XxDsB9I/U-1gTgYSq5I/AAAAAAAAMlQ/sKuTPPEB-Vk/s1600/9997.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
But reality settled over me like a cloud<br />
and misted my eyes.<br />
<br />
I glanced down the block stairs and saw my husband looking up at me,<br />
patiently.<br />
Lovingly.<br />
<br />
I knew it was time to go. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jnOIAGvhMZE/U-1k0i3BkAI/AAAAAAAAMmI/Vaavl_opRXg/s1600/stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jnOIAGvhMZE/U-1k0i3BkAI/AAAAAAAAMmI/Vaavl_opRXg/s1600/stairs.jpg" height="640" width="480" /> </a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Descending slowly,<br />
as if each step took me back to the present.<br />
I looked to my left and saw a sweet, quaint cottage nestled into the side of the hill.<br />
<br />
This place charmed me to my core.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjIMQgVCCWQ/U-1lgS2a2HI/AAAAAAAAMmQ/71tG-3NPK4k/s1600/red%2Broof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjIMQgVCCWQ/U-1lgS2a2HI/AAAAAAAAMmQ/71tG-3NPK4k/s1600/red%2Broof.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I think it was seeing the happy red roof among all of the green under a turquoise sky.<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dc3qlAMzp6E/U-1mAONzHaI/AAAAAAAAMmY/R8yvVhKX-bo/s1600/red%2Broof2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dc3qlAMzp6E/U-1mAONzHaI/AAAAAAAAMmY/R8yvVhKX-bo/s1600/red%2Broof2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
These powerful feelings that totally consumed me, <br />
affirmed one thing in my soul.<br />
<br />
Even though I love my life in the country<br />
with the wide open spaces and roaming wildlife...<br />
<br />
my heart<br />
<br />
my soul<br />
<br />
my <i>entire</i> being<br />
<br />
will always<br />
<br />
always<br />
<br />
<i>ALWAYS</i><br />
<br />
belong to the beach.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjopABwGScw/U-1-9Ay7SLI/AAAAAAAAMnw/gaQZxnnkwb4/s1600/998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjopABwGScw/U-1-9Ay7SLI/AAAAAAAAMnw/gaQZxnnkwb4/s1600/998.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And nothing in this world will ever take that away from me.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FHWDVjgIfV0/U-1hHaRqBvI/AAAAAAAAMlo/bz-gGaBR2YE/s1600/9999.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FHWDVjgIfV0/U-1hHaRqBvI/AAAAAAAAMlo/bz-gGaBR2YE/s1600/9999.1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We turned our SUV toward the world,<br />
and I sighed.<br />
My cheeks wet with salty tears.<br />
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</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Xv7uoBFFvg/U-1mz_AHngI/AAAAAAAAMmg/lK9UnVt5_hE/s1600/road%2Bhome.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></div>
<br />
<br />
I was leaving the child I used to be<br />
back on that beautiful beach.<br />
<br />
But I knew she would wait for me... <br />
<br />
until I returned.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tn2vqIDygng/U-1n0Cm-1OI/AAAAAAAAMm4/T-C3-lx9FPk/s1600/me4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tn2vqIDygng/U-1n0Cm-1OI/AAAAAAAAMm4/T-C3-lx9FPk/s1600/me4.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">~ Eucharisteo ~</span></span></i><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-11950349450287760592014-07-26T20:43:00.000-04:002014-07-27T14:01:27.470-04:00Quiet Seasons<div style="text-align: center;">
As I sit here with fingers on keys,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
words seem to fail me....as they have been lately.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Instead of words and stories and creative projects that I normally share with you,<br />
a huge void has taken up residence in my heart.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've pushed this computer away time after time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Time seems short.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The desire to write, sorely lacking.<br />
My camera collects dust. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sdjseT2TR8s/U9QHfhk8qaI/AAAAAAAAMY0/xtu4KoDSNNM/s1600/journal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sdjseT2TR8s/U9QHfhk8qaI/AAAAAAAAMY0/xtu4KoDSNNM/s1600/journal.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I needed you to know that I am still here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Still moving through life....though in a slight fog. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Still consumed with my parent's estate and paperwork....but making progress. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is a light at the end of the tunnel.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The bumps in the road are gradually smoothing out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Comfort is found in quiet routine,<br />
and old photographs reflecting a simple, content, happy life. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oivtGvXVoAg/U9QNmGXJq1I/AAAAAAAAMZc/hkVs_qda2GA/s1600/beach+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oivtGvXVoAg/U9QNmGXJq1I/AAAAAAAAMZc/hkVs_qda2GA/s1600/beach+pic.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>My parents and me on Port Sheldon beach at Lake Michigan where my grandparent's cottage once stood.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
It's a bittersweet season.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A season of many firsts.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A season of extreme heartbreak;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a season of letting go;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a season of remembering and understanding;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a season of discovery and growing;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a season of trust;</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a season of love.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jO4GGpQKFtc/U9QTplWoKoI/AAAAAAAAMaI/QJ_Tcuf76Fg/s1600/watercolor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jO4GGpQKFtc/U9QTplWoKoI/AAAAAAAAMaI/QJ_Tcuf76Fg/s1600/watercolor.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My favorite watercolor painted by my father.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A reprieve is found in my garden.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Moments spent with the sun pouring warmth onto my back.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Green beans fall into my bucket.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A pail of cabbage, squash, and broccoli wait at the garden gate.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oTq1M9IlFT4/U9QHYnASwvI/AAAAAAAAMYs/mfrWAe7d4GI/s1600/veggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oTq1M9IlFT4/U9QHYnASwvI/AAAAAAAAMYs/mfrWAe7d4GI/s1600/veggies.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
My thoughts wander to the months ahead.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Autumn.<br />
Winter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spring.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More seasons of firsts....of change.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I let my thoughts linger and I hold them close. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've watched two hatches of bluebirds hunger in their nest, grow, and fly away.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've heard tiny wren babies in the red bed tree out front chirp as their momma brings them food.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They too will eventually spread their wings and fly away.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4HwDVfggAc/U9QMUKq4P0I/AAAAAAAAMZE/Xe07XpV6q54/s1600/baby+birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4HwDVfggAc/U9QMUKq4P0I/AAAAAAAAMZE/Xe07XpV6q54/s1600/baby+birds.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I stood in awe at the strong determination of a mother turtle laying her eggs by the arbor in my north garden.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zA4HxaR5Cwg/U9QMrWoHHnI/AAAAAAAAMZM/yCxTotsDQ2s/s1600/turtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zA4HxaR5Cwg/U9QMrWoHHnI/AAAAAAAAMZM/yCxTotsDQ2s/s1600/turtle.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've watched wobbly legged little turkeys follow their parents through the yard,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pecking at the fallen birdseed by the old pear tree.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2sIcnq-76Z8/U9QHQeUGcVI/AAAAAAAAMYk/GuQiLxx6pew/s1600/feathers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2sIcnq-76Z8/U9QHQeUGcVI/AAAAAAAAMYk/GuQiLxx6pew/s1600/feathers.jpg" height="584" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
A family of rabbits have taken refuge in my garden </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and scamper through the roses each evening.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ears standing tall.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Noses quivering.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Farm tractors rumble by pulling trailers of freshly cut hay.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
People glide by on their bicycles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The mail truck putts down the road.<br />
Pickles are canned and beans frozen.<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ADgOhBEnAWk/U9QHE2ZsKII/AAAAAAAAMYc/j8ZspbPZNp4/s1600/pickles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ADgOhBEnAWk/U9QHE2ZsKII/AAAAAAAAMYc/j8ZspbPZNp4/s1600/pickles.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Life quietly goes on with slippered feet.</span><br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQhg4RR2XkU/U9QNPdE3ROI/AAAAAAAAMZU/QtmUJeSuu2E/s1600/hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQhg4RR2XkU/U9QNPdE3ROI/AAAAAAAAMZU/QtmUJeSuu2E/s1600/hat.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I lift my face to the starry heavens each night and wonder what my parents are doing -<br />
how they are doing... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wishing they could tell me what it was like up there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I thank God for the faithful life they had lived here on earth,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and for raising me up the same way. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am blessed by the family who lived before me;<br />
traveling from the Netherlands, France, and Scotland... <br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MEwNadnETYs/U9QUCgTMTDI/AAAAAAAAMaQ/ew-XqYAIGAw/s1600/family+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MEwNadnETYs/U9QUCgTMTDI/AAAAAAAAMaQ/ew-XqYAIGAw/s1600/family+photo.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dqdcUlGtkFk/U9QOsi91LXI/AAAAAAAAMZs/qvSgaDr4Jvc/s1600/gram.gramp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dqdcUlGtkFk/U9QOsi91LXI/AAAAAAAAMZs/qvSgaDr4Jvc/s1600/gram.gramp.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My mother's parents ~ and the car my grandfather was killed in.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ztcijB3_-5s/U9QO1oCBNiI/AAAAAAAAMZ0/SkW6TfDrfYw/s1600/photo+album.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ztcijB3_-5s/U9QO1oCBNiI/AAAAAAAAMZ0/SkW6TfDrfYw/s1600/photo+album.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My dad and his brother traveling out west with my grandparents.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
and the family I still have around me.<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVyB9n4vFZs/U9QN5xzn-QI/AAAAAAAAMZo/u6XONebTEvU/s1600/photos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVyB9n4vFZs/U9QN5xzn-QI/AAAAAAAAMZo/u6XONebTEvU/s1600/photos.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To everything there is a season.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will learn to live the seasons with a tangible void now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will learn to carry it, embrace it, tuck it away and go on.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will discover more,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
understand more, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
trust more,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and love more...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
in these quiet, blessed seasons of life before me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">~ Eucharisteo ~</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3FQFG-r2pQ/U9QAmBhgm_I/AAAAAAAAMYQ/qFDVN2b2BmY/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3FQFG-r2pQ/U9QAmBhgm_I/AAAAAAAAMYQ/qFDVN2b2BmY/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" /></a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-90057062062267656082014-07-01T22:25:00.000-04:002014-07-03T21:16:46.227-04:00The Sweetness of Life<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e06666;"><i>"Sometimes we need the salt of tears</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e06666;"><i>to remind us how to savor the sweetness of life." </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>~ Lysa TerKeurst</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Walking a rough road brings realization.<br />
It's not easy.<br />
The salty tears burn your soul.<br />
The burden is heavy.<br />
The pain deep. <br />
You weep.<br />
You grieve.<br />
<br />
You stumble.<br />
You fall.<br />
You crumble to the floor in a ball of utter sadness like a lost child.<br />
You lose yourself completely in the heartbreak.<br />
<br />
But<br />
as the waves of pain crash around you,<br />
tossing you like a seashell in the ocean...<br />
God stills the storm to a whisper<br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
<i>you learn.</i><br />
<br />
You learn that your brokenness can become something more beautiful<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>somehow.</i><br />
<br />
God is the sweetness of life;<br />
rising from the darkness of pain.<br />
His Presence is strong and clear. <br />
He's right in front of you.<br />
Lifting you up.<br />
Holding you close.<br />
Showing you the goodness of grace.<br />
Assuring you of hope.<br />
Washing away the pain and heartbreak.<br />
Remolding you. <br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AIdEZqeP9OA/U7MkOxxswcI/AAAAAAAAMUU/Owl2ZB-QbJI/s1600/dad%27s+glasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AIdEZqeP9OA/U7MkOxxswcI/AAAAAAAAMUU/Owl2ZB-QbJI/s1600/dad's+glasses.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
There are so many things that I've learned while traveling this path during the past month.<br />
So many things that I wish I had done better<br />
said more often<br />
embraced tighter<br />
realized quicker.<br />
<br />
I always told my parents how much I loved them. <br />
Every time I saw them or talked to them.<br />
In cards, in notes.<br />
Uncountable times.<br />
Over and over again.<br />
<br />
I always hugged my parents.<br />
Warm, loving hugs that melded hearts and buoyed spirits. <br />
Hugs that lasted minutes instead of moments.<br />
<br />
I spent many hours and days with my parents.<br />
Talking, walking, listening, laughing, crying,<br />
traveling, shopping, eating,<br />
worrying, caring, loving,<br />
and always praying. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BTaIHknTwDA/U7MgV-wHISI/AAAAAAAAMUA/iumtj-OsIdE/s1600/dad%27s+piano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BTaIHknTwDA/U7MgV-wHISI/AAAAAAAAMUA/iumtj-OsIdE/s1600/dad's+piano.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The piano my dad used to play for my mom while she napped.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
But....<br />
I wish I had loved them even more ~<i> if that was even possible</i>...<br />
hugged them even more<br />
spent even more time with them.<br />
<br />
I wish I could tell them I love them<br />
could hug them<br />
could spend one more day with them<br />
<br />
<i>just ONE more time.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
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<i><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WELPXGn-Oco/U7Mb9VS2vYI/AAAAAAAAMTg/_RJY_n-UlHM/s1600/mom's+hands.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></i></div>
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<br />
<br />
So, I plead with all of my friends out there who are blessed to have your parents yet...<br />
<br />
don't waste any time. <br />
Don't procrastinate.<br />
Don't put it off any longer.<br />
<br />
Use every single day the Lord gives you<br />
loving your parents as much as you can.<br />
<i>Right now. </i></div>
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<br />
Sit down and talk with them.<br />
<i>Often. </i></div>
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Encourage them to share childhood memories and write them down so that you won't forget.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Reminisce about your grandparents, great grandparents, aunts and uncles.<br />
Sort through the old photographs stored in those boxes stored in the attic,<br />
and write the pictures' stories on the back.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Talk about your parents' finances, where they have investments, and who their financial advisor is.<br />
Write it down. <br />
If they don't have an advisor, get one. </div>
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Visit their attorney with them and write up a Living Trust.<br />
If they don't have one, get one. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A Will doesn't mean much at all, neither does a Durable Power of Attorney at times.</div>
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Know where they keep their important papers.</div>
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<br />
Have them pay for their funeral expenses ahead of time if possible, and</div>
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write down their funeral wishes (scripture, hymns, pastor, cremation or not). </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Assign a Representative Payee and sign the legal paper for it.<br />
File it all in a safe place.<br />
During a painful time of grieving,<br />
it will make your life a bit easier and will be one less burden for you to carry. </div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then... <br />
do the same for yourself so that your own children have an easier time when you are called Home.<br />
Please don't wait.<br />
<i>Do it now. </i><br />
<br />
And most of all ~ give thanks.<br />
Constantly. <br />
<br />
Get down on bended knee and thank God for the sweetness of life that He's giving you<br />
<i>right now.</i> <br />
<br />
Even through the saltiness and pain...<br />
there IS sweetness.<br />
He promises that.<br />
So, expect it.<br />
Count on it.<br />
<i>Thank Him for it. </i><br />
<br />
Live gracefully.<br />
Live lovingly.<br />
Live like it's your last day.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zWGeLDxWz3k/U7MdbirHd4I/AAAAAAAAMTs/zgZT8vdbmZw/s1600/bedroom+vignette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zWGeLDxWz3k/U7MdbirHd4I/AAAAAAAAMTs/zgZT8vdbmZw/s1600/bedroom+vignette.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
That may sound like doom and gloom statement,<br />
but trust me....<br />
<br />
you never know when that warm hug or whispered "I love you" will be the last one.<br />
<br />
Count your blessings and thank God for them.<br />
<i>Right now.</i><br />
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<i><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgAV-KmcYec/U7MeRyQC0DI/AAAAAAAAMT0/IyxAw6ORNFE/s1600/baby+birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgAV-KmcYec/U7MeRyQC0DI/AAAAAAAAMT0/IyxAw6ORNFE/s1600/baby+birds.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
...and finally...<br />
<br />
devote yourself to live a legacy of<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o_Y5mywt9yI/U7NdYRp4p1I/AAAAAAAAMUk/qwJ9uHjy4v8/s1600/Love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o_Y5mywt9yI/U7NdYRp4p1I/AAAAAAAAMUk/qwJ9uHjy4v8/s1600/Love.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">~ Eucharisteo ~</span></span></i><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l9E5C5VsGBg/U7IbI3lXprI/AAAAAAAAMTQ/T_Fhs7FZjJE/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l9E5C5VsGBg/U7IbI3lXprI/AAAAAAAAMTQ/T_Fhs7FZjJE/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" /></a></div>
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P.S...I have no idea how to even begin to thank each and every one of you for your words of comfort, your prayers of strength, and the constant love you continue to surround me and my family with.<br />
I thank God for you all.<br />
May He bless you and keep you...<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: large;">♥</span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">linky</a> <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://the-chicken-chick.com/">lower</a> right of my sidebar.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-75427650804427958432014-06-01T21:52:00.000-04:002014-06-01T21:52:14.098-04:00A Teardrop on Earth<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><i>"A teardrop on earth summons the King of Heaven."</i></span><br />
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She knelt.</div>
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Bending over the earth.</div>
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Plunging her hands into the warm soil.</div>
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Digging.</div>
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Picking up the small rose bush,</div>
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she gently placed it in the hole and patted dirt around it.</div>
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She heard a small wren trill his sweet song nearby. </div>
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Her tears fell,</div>
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catching on the tender pink petals.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XGrkhAxFgFE/U4qXyEpckJI/AAAAAAAAMBQ/agC1JuI_VWQ/s1600/Mary+rose1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XGrkhAxFgFE/U4qXyEpckJI/AAAAAAAAMBQ/agC1JuI_VWQ/s1600/Mary+rose1.jpg" height="640" width="544" /></a></div>
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<i>"This is for you, Dad...."</i>,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she whispered, her voice breaking.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sobs escaped. </div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her world had been turned upside down during the past week.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Careening crazily.</div>
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Toppling over. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dropping like a rock.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Emotions raw,<br />
overwhelming, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
shimmering on the surface of her broken soul.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tears flowing easily at unexpected moments ~</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
dishing up ice cream...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
mowing the yard...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
shopping for groceries.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Memories of shared times with her beloved father.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">♥ </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sharp, painful memories of a sleepless night in a hospital room at his bedside.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hearing labored breathing through the oxygen mask. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Holding his warm hand that clutched at hers.</div>
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Her head bowed in constant prayer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Face wet with tears.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Heart beating wildly.</div>
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</div>
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<i>"Please, God. Not Dad...please don't take Dad from me."</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her gaze lifted, lingering out the window overlooking the sleeping city.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lights bright.</div>
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Sky dark.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Streets empty. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Questions wrapped themselves tightly around her mind.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Heavy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Strangling.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tired eyes stinging with more tears.</div>
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</div>
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Two days, they had said.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He would pass in two days.</div>
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</div>
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<br />
She gripped his hand tighter,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
planting a gentle kiss on his forehead.</div>
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</div>
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<i>"I love you, Dad"</i>, she whispered in his ear,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
not knowing if he could hear her voice or not.</div>
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<i>"I love you with all my heart." </i></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
She focused on his face,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
etching it into her heart. </div>
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She studied his hands.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her father's hands.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Strong, steady, caring, hands.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
The bracelet around his wrist imprinted with "Integrity".</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His life had been filled to the brim with it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Generous.</div>
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Determined. </div>
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Caring.</div>
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Humorous. </div>
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Faithful.</div>
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Devoted.</div>
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Loving.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Christ's love moving him to extremes. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His love the first and last word in everything he did. </div>
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Giving freely and asking nothing in return.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">♥</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She stood,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
brushing the garden dirt from her hands and picking up the old watering can.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Water flowed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
mingling with yet more tears.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her vision blurred as she dropped to her knees again in despair.</div>
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Sobs freely breaking through and cutting into the air.</div>
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Hands clutching her knees,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
rocking.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She watered the rose with her pain now.</div>
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</div>
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As she lifted her head,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
her watery eyes searched the clear blue sky for comfort from Heaven, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
her father's favorite scripture bloomed suddenly deep inside her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449"> </span><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449"> </span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">Heaven had been made real for him.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">The heaven he read about and spoke about so many times.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">She knew he was now kneeling at the throne of God,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">lifting his hands in praise.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">She lifted her hands, too,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">feeling the warmth of the sun on her dirty palms.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">Offering up a broken heart. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">The wren trilled.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449"> The sun shined.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">The rose grew.</span><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">Tears fell. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">Her love bloomed,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">and her faith remained steady. </span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">"I miss you so much, Dad.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">I will always love you..." </span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">~ Eucharisteo ~</span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449"> </span><i><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449"> </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://the-chicken-chick.com/">linky</a> <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">lower</a> right of my sidebar.</span></span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-21368700547811985652014-05-11T22:31:00.000-04:002014-05-11T22:31:41.831-04:00A Faux Folk Bed<div style="text-align: center;">
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Our guest bedroom has gone through multiple changes during the past eight years we've lived in this old farmhouse.<br />
If you don't know me at all,<br />
I enjoy switching things up once in a while.<br />
<i>{Ok...ok...MORE than once in a while.} </i></div>
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When we moved here in March 2006, the room started off looking like this.</div>
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Sweet and cottagey.</div>
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A Simply Shabby Chic duvet and crisp white cotton sheets on the dark Jenny Lind bed</div>
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next to a wicker trunk, wicker rocker, and wicker lamp.<br />
A sisal rug covered the painted wood floor. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EolE_MO4qHc/U2rA_HvQ_-I/AAAAAAAAL5g/7ekiZQNM-9A/s1600/6.24.10+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EolE_MO4qHc/U2rA_HvQ_-I/AAAAAAAAL5g/7ekiZQNM-9A/s1600/6.24.10+025.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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As my SSC <strike>obsession</strike> collection grew,</div>
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the look changed</div>
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with pink floral drapes,</div>
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an elegant linen dust ruffle, </div>
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vintage botanical rose prints,<br />
antique brass sconce,<br />
a couple of my <a href="http://heavens-walk.blogspot.com/2013/07/passion-grace.html">dream catchers</a>, </div>
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and the addition of a flea market Turkish rug layered on top of the sisal rug. <br />
Much more of a shabby chic style.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kk4Ct7NZzy0/U2rABWqHg0I/AAAAAAAAL5U/AunQYZWIDSg/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kk4Ct7NZzy0/U2rABWqHg0I/AAAAAAAAL5U/AunQYZWIDSg/s1600/8.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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During the summer months,</div>
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I wanted a clean, airy look.</div>
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So most of the florals were switched</div>
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for a white linen duvet topped with a RASCC petticoat sham.<br />
Simple shabby chic elegance. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qSgHg7YsuDk/U2q_ZmcadzI/AAAAAAAAL5M/faE-CwnFg84/s1600/gb94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qSgHg7YsuDk/U2q_ZmcadzI/AAAAAAAAL5M/faE-CwnFg84/s1600/gb94.jpg" height="640" width="584" /> </a></div>
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But something kept bugging me.</div>
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This bedroom is very tiny as is the rule with many old farmhouses.</div>
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Despite the fact that the windows are large which makes it a very bright room during the morning hours, </div>
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I constantly struggled with wanting it to feel more spacious.</div>
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It was time to declutter and simplify even more. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2gt0tuU8fqc/U2qc1SyndNI/AAAAAAAAL3E/AbIQ8vNGpXg/s1600/folkbed1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2gt0tuU8fqc/U2qc1SyndNI/AAAAAAAAL3E/AbIQ8vNGpXg/s1600/folkbed1.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div>
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First thing to do was to deconstruct the vintage wooden box spring that we purchased at an auction back in 1984.</div>
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I wanted a "folk bed" feeling that Rachel Ashwell made popular.</div>
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She created this by placing two single mattresses on pallets.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h-6p8Bb1nAg/U2rIMv3Ji-I/AAAAAAAAL54/9vnjTq0b68w/s1600/malibu+living+room.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h-6p8Bb1nAg/U2rIMv3Ji-I/AAAAAAAAL54/9vnjTq0b68w/s1600/malibu+living+room.png" height="420" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Rachel Ashwell</td></tr>
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But I was working with a standard size bed....for now.<br />
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<i>{I am currently on the lookout for two twin vintage wooden box springs - or twin sized pallets.}</i></div>
I really want the bed to eventually look like this.<br />
Two twin mattresses on top of pallets with casters. <br />
A little shabby chic bohemian feeling.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4nRzPXilzBg/U2rKgIE2uMI/AAAAAAAAL6Q/c1-SUITsIDo/s1600/pallet+beds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4nRzPXilzBg/U2rKgIE2uMI/AAAAAAAAL6Q/c1-SUITsIDo/s1600/pallet+beds.jpg" height="386" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Rachel Ashwell</td></tr>
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This is the look I hope to eventually achieve.<br />
These are the folk beds that my incredibly creative friend, <a href="http://shabbychicgirls.blogspot.com/">Tausha</a> has in her beautiful barn room.<br />
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Talk about boho prairie love.....<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">♥</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AimNb3EZUtM/U20w_njVgnI/AAAAAAAAL7w/bqUei79BhWE/s1600/barn+room.beds1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AimNb3EZUtM/U20w_njVgnI/AAAAAAAAL7w/bqUei79BhWE/s1600/barn+room.beds1.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Tausha, <a href="http://shabbychicgirls.blogspot.com/">Simply Me</a> blog. </td></tr>
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I should have taken photos so that you could see how old our box spring really is ~</div>
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with coir-like material and cotton stuffing covering the top and rusty looking springs.<br />
Old.<br />
Very very old. </div>
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It was still solid as a rock though, so I ripped off the material and stuffing and took it down to the bare bones.<br />
The only thing left on it was the wood and springs. <br />
After a good vacuuming and cleaning, </div>
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I spread an old quilt and fitted sheet on top of it, </div>
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and laid the mattress back on the box springs.</div>
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The dismantled Jenny Lind frame was hauled up to the attic to be stored. </div>
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I dressed the bed simply.<br />
A couple of SSC pink ruffled quilts,<br />
my favorite petticoat pillow shams,<br />
a flea market needlepoint pillow.<br />
It immediately felt more casual.<br />
Less dressed. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h6ESqsVXf3A/U2qdCInKmgI/AAAAAAAAL3M/-p4razocOyo/s1600/folkbed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h6ESqsVXf3A/U2qdCInKmgI/AAAAAAAAL3M/-p4razocOyo/s1600/folkbed2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I immediately loved not seeing a traditional head and foot board on the bed.<br />
It had taken up "visual" space.<br />
That is what had been bugging me all along. <br />
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The mirrors that were stacked and leaning on the dresser were stored away as well,<br />
leaving the top free of clutter.<br />
I placed a simple mercury lamp and clear vase filled with pink roses there instead. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lX-DU8TTFFo/U2qdTowem5I/AAAAAAAAL3U/FrEzUHQrfKM/s1600/folkbed3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lX-DU8TTFFo/U2qdTowem5I/AAAAAAAAL3U/FrEzUHQrfKM/s1600/folkbed3.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I removed the room sized sisal rug and stored that away as well, </div>
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leaving the painted floor bare with the exception of a different Turkish rug<br />
(one with more pink tones in it) ~<br />
because there's nothing better than feeling bare wood floors beneath your feet.</div>
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The room felt larger. Airier. Cleaner.</div>
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Less fussy.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9sAh4vrfvw/U2qdcbiqmrI/AAAAAAAAL3c/UMsywVEFJB4/s1600/folkbed4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9sAh4vrfvw/U2qdcbiqmrI/AAAAAAAAL3c/UMsywVEFJB4/s1600/folkbed4.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see how my husband and I build the barn door style closet doors <a href="http://heavens-walk.blogspot.com/2013/02/shabby-prairie-chic-remodel.html">here</a>.</td></tr>
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An old feather ticking pillow was tossed on top of a rolled up vintage striped quilt.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpMWo1pVqjY/U2qeP0dYo7I/AAAAAAAAL4E/brpw_tI-OFs/s1600/folkbed9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpMWo1pVqjY/U2qeP0dYo7I/AAAAAAAAL4E/brpw_tI-OFs/s1600/folkbed9.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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A cool spring breeze blew in the windows while I played with the pillows and quilts.<br />
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It was all I could do to not to plop down in the middle of that bed and revel in the clean simplicity of the room. </div>
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Though the changes were small,<br />
the feeling is big...<br />
and I'm loving it for now...<br />
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...until I find a couple of twin wood box springs (or pallets)...</div>
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which will mean a bit more tweaking, of course.</div>
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:)</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Update:</span><br />
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A sweet package was waiting for me when I got home the other day.<br />
This is what was inside.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3yKeWrDegM/U20nlkbqjUI/AAAAAAAAL7I/GDlQLIZwwa4/s1600/shantyjack1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3yKeWrDegM/U20nlkbqjUI/AAAAAAAAL7I/GDlQLIZwwa4/s1600/shantyjack1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
A beautiful Shantyjack created by my kind and thoughtful Texan friend, Sherry Hicks from<br />
<a href="http://theshantygirl.blogspot.com/">Shantygirl blog</a>.<br />
Sherry is well known nationwide for her version of beautiful Union Jack throws made with shabby chic and prairie fabrics.<br />
She calls hers "Shantyjacks".<br />
She sewed mine using fabrics from Rachel Ashwell and Cabbages & Roses<br />
layered on a cloud of gorgeous white linen. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UPMGIhWdYGk/U20o19hjIpI/AAAAAAAAL7g/eqGjhGnvNCE/s1600/shantyjack2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UPMGIhWdYGk/U20o19hjIpI/AAAAAAAAL7g/eqGjhGnvNCE/s1600/shantyjack2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
She used the pink floral Cabbages & Roses fabric<br />
to commemorate my <a href="http://heavens-walk.blogspot.com/2013/10/breathing-in-hope.html">breast cancer scare</a> during this past winter.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f9_mWfi89R0/U20o0lyaMyI/AAAAAAAAL7c/ShP5QXsCDCk/s1600/shantyjack3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f9_mWfi89R0/U20o0lyaMyI/AAAAAAAAL7c/ShP5QXsCDCk/s1600/shantyjack3.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WPuBY8jqzS8/U20ozzsmuXI/AAAAAAAAL7U/JZrZ95PIZOA/s1600/shantyjack5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WPuBY8jqzS8/U20ozzsmuXI/AAAAAAAAL7U/JZrZ95PIZOA/s1600/shantyjack5.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I just adore it.<br />
<br />
Thank you, sweet friend.<br />
Your work is utterly amazing,<br />
your thoughtfulness so appreciated, <br />
and your friendship...<br />
a true blessing.<br />
God bless you!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">~ Eucharisteo ~</span></i></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e6uKhW0AYV0/U2rYXIFP_8I/AAAAAAAAL6w/BhUjkcCwjBQ/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e6uKhW0AYV0/U2rYXIFP_8I/AAAAAAAAL6w/BhUjkcCwjBQ/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://the-chicken-chick.com/">linky</a> <a href="http://commonground-do.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">lower</a> <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">right</a> of my sidebar.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-55627936612216181742014-05-04T20:25:00.000-04:002014-05-04T20:25:04.975-04:00A Merry Heart<div style="text-align: center;">
It was fifteen days of embracing a merry heart.<br />
Fifteen days of realizing blessings.<br />
Fifteen days of counting blessings.<br />
Fifteen days of unexpected joy.<br />
<br />
When Michelle at<a href="http://shelookethwell.blogspot.com/"> She Looketh Well</a> invited me to join in her <span style="color: #ea9999;">#merryheartchallenge</span>,<br />
my mind replied, "Definitely."<br />
heart whispered, "Oh yes."<br />
My soul sang, "Yes!"<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l5_YstOijjs/U1xGnIrEWPI/AAAAAAAALxI/T5rGEmLvn0g/s1600/peace.praise.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l5_YstOijjs/U1xGnIrEWPI/AAAAAAAALxI/T5rGEmLvn0g/s1600/peace.praise.png" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So, each day we all focused on this verse:<br />
<br />
<b>Proverbs 15:15.</b> <br />
<i>“All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad <b>(merry) heart</b> has a <b>continual feast [regardless of circumstances</b>].”</i><br />
<br />
Michelle shared her reasons for starting this challenge: "It really is true, <b>when our hearts are merry, glad and light, we have a continual feast,</b>
regardless of the circumstances. I don’t know that choosing a merry
heart will change my circumstances, but it will change me, and how I see
and handle the circumstances."<br />
<br />
God was waiting to change me.<br />
I was ready for change. <i></i><br />
<i> </i><i><br /><b></b> </i><br />
<br />
Of course,<b> God's</b> plans were always <i>always</i> better than the ones I had made.<br />
But as my heart searched continually for happy things, merry things, things that made me or someone else smile... <br />
praise and gratitude overflowed from my soul.<br />
<br />
Here are only a <b>few</b> of the MANY blessings he poured into my life during this merry journey. <br />
<br />
<br />
Cherished time spent with my parents...<br />
<br />
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sunshine filling the back yard and turning the grass green...<br />
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<br />
seeing tiny green buds on the trees...<br />
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<br />
<br />
relishing some springtime sunshine...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s5uZtrwVVyQ/U1xLNg8c5GI/AAAAAAAALxs/I9XL4ao6_SY/s1600/pillows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s5uZtrwVVyQ/U1xLNg8c5GI/AAAAAAAALxs/I9XL4ao6_SY/s1600/pillows.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
finding my favorite 'Rosita vendela' roses at the store...<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlKIC-PzWIc/U1xLeALNniI/AAAAAAAALx0/J3TK5kaCgvE/s1600/roses.rosita+vendela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlKIC-PzWIc/U1xLeALNniI/AAAAAAAALx0/J3TK5kaCgvE/s1600/roses.rosita+vendela.jpg" height="640" width="454" /></a></div>
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cleaning and simplifying the studio...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4wGyoy9QtI/U1xLm_svrCI/AAAAAAAALx8/NlZlEpqg9m4/s1600/desk+vignette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4wGyoy9QtI/U1xLm_svrCI/AAAAAAAALx8/NlZlEpqg9m4/s1600/desk+vignette.jpg" height="504" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
spending time with my little girl...<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtbn6IxN_n4/U1xNfCUpSrI/AAAAAAAALyI/CRSE48M5Ygk/s1600/maizie6.13.2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
running for 30 minutes non-stop on my treadmill four times a week...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CunetUH3XeY/U1xSCqy7lvI/AAAAAAAALyk/uDVZJfLJ2s8/s1600/shoes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CunetUH3XeY/U1xSCqy7lvI/AAAAAAAALyk/uDVZJfLJ2s8/s1600/shoes1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
setting out spring decor on the front porch...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvMAAMyZgjo/U2Qyn8d2tsI/AAAAAAAAL1c/B3JqAUfI6Tk/s1600/bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvMAAMyZgjo/U2Qyn8d2tsI/AAAAAAAAL1c/B3JqAUfI6Tk/s1600/bench.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
finding some charming vintage treasures at the first antique market of the season...<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MuoLqUfJcj4/U2QzHnGCQOI/AAAAAAAAL1k/AUDzDO4eshY/s1600/rug+&+knives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MuoLqUfJcj4/U2QzHnGCQOI/AAAAAAAAL1k/AUDzDO4eshY/s1600/rug+&+knives.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
and spending time sitting quietly...and listening.<br />
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<br />
When I thought of everything He's done for me,<br />
all of the God-struck moments I've experienced...<br />
I felt very overwhelmed.<br />
Very blessed.<br />
Very grateful.<br />
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<br />
A quote swept through my mind ~<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"What if you woke up today with only the things that you thanked God for yesterday?"</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><i>"And it was in this attitude of gratitude that she could feel the grace of it:<br />Yesterday …. was our Lord’s grace.<br />Tomorrow…. is our Lord willing.<br />Today…. is our Lord’s gift —<br />which is why everyone, everywhere, calls right now the present."<br /> - Ann Voskamp</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
A merry heart.<br />
A grateful soul.<br />
Stringing every blessing together and lifting them high.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Google image</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Thank you, Lord.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><i>~ Eucharisteo ~</i></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TFUzHso-mL4/U1xcbCWbVDI/AAAAAAAALy0/l-KfjBRtX2c/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TFUzHso-mL4/U1xcbCWbVDI/AAAAAAAALy0/l-KfjBRtX2c/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" /></a></i></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">♥ Thank you, Michelle, for inviting me on this sweet, merry journey. ♥</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://the-chicken-chick.com/">linky</a> <a href="http://commonground-do.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">lower</a> <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">right </a>of my sidebar.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-71352983763212491902014-04-27T17:26:00.001-04:002014-04-28T11:33:06.364-04:00Hippy Chic and Naked Mannequins<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The first local antique market of the season opened up today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Considering the long, cold winter and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
long, cold spring we've had here in Michigan,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I vowed that I was NOT going to go if it was cold....or rainy....or snowing for that matter.<br />
No way, Jose.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The day dawned cold.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like 40 degrees.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But it wasn't raining...or snowing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So after rolling out of bed at 6am, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I pulled on jeans, tee, heavy wool winter sweater,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
woolly socks and tall boots,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
grabbed a cup of hot, sweet coffee and headed out the door into the dark morning ~</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
leaving the Mister all snuggled up in bed with Maizie.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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A half hour later after I pulled into a parking spot in the field and started walking toward the market, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it started to rain.<br />
Not much, but enough to be irritating and turn a good hair day into a very bad one. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh....and did I mention it was blowing?<br />
Really blowing. </div>
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Like blowing hard enough to flip my umbrella</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(which had been tucked into my purse as an afterthought)</div>
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inside out?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yeah.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was blowing hard...and raining.<br />
<br />
NIIIICE. <br />
<br />
And the Mister was back home all cuddled in a nice warm bed...<br />
<br />
You could have heard my moan of despair all the way to Wisconsin, I think. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
So, there I was...battling not only my bad hair whipping around my head like a wild banshee,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but standing in the rain in midst of a wet, windblown crowd shaking my umbrella like a crazy woman trying to get it right side out again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What FUN.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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But...being the die hard shopper my momma brought me up to be,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I forged ahead with my shopping radar tuned on high.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The rain did stop after a while,<br />
<i>(thank you, Lord!) </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but the winds screamed around the booths threatening to pick up the canopies<br />
and swirl them away like Mary Poppins.<br />
I really think I saw a cow blow by me at one point...<br />
(or maybe it was one of those large metal sheep that one guy makes?).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I made my way past women wrapped tightly in a colorful quilts over their winter coats and hats,</div>
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and men with pink blankets around their shivering shoulders</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
attempting to stay warm however they could.<br />
(Real men DO wear pink blankets, you know.) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I stared in disbelief at a crazy man in shorts (shorts....<i>really</i>?)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
taking photos of a bare naked mannequin</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in all her cold, busty glory.<br />
(Oh, I can just imagine the story HE was going to share with his buddies over Friday night beers.) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I sauntered slowly past the food trailers inhaling the spicy aroma of fried onions and sausages,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my stomach growling in dismay.<br />
There was no way I was going to spend my money on food.<br />
<i>(Get over it, Stomach.) </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My first purchase, appropriately enough,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
was a queen quilt and sham set.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In perfect condition and softly worn.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hugged it to my chest </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and seriously considered becoming a blanket mummy like everyone else.<br />
But at least the front of me was warm. <br />
<br />
<br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I continued walking...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a stuffed squirrel and deer antlers,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
huge wooden vintage market signs,</div>
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wicker furniture galore,</div>
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rusty hinges and antique glassware,</div>
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painted and distressed cabinets and tables,</div>
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and garden trinkets</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
lined the aisles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Escaping the howling wind for a while, I ducked inside one of the buildings,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
walking past walls of paintings, mounds of jewelry, and a pile of rugs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
A pile of rugs???<br />
Whoa. </div>
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I stopped dead in my tracks when my eyes landed on this beauty</div>
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half falling off of a table. </div>
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<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iI9sI3CSXF4/U11HN433C8I/AAAAAAAALzk/Q_78Gzu7E9E/s1600/rug.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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It was small. Only a 2'x3', but so beautifully worn with it's faded blues and pale pinks.<br />
I knew instantly that it would make a beautiful pillow cover.<br />
<i>(Do they even make strong enough sewing machine needles to do that...?) </i></div>
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I also nabbed this rug off the same table for our kitchen ~</div>
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also wonderfully worn and threadbare in spots.</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6x67L4PhrAM/U11HWV63sRI/AAAAAAAALzs/4YyBgSHs2io/s1600/kit+rug.jpg" height="640" width="392" /> </div>
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At a nearby booth manned by a cool, chic, hippy gal with carrot colored hair,</div>
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I spied this knife set, complete with cheese knife and cake slicer.</div>
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It was love at first sight when I touched those handles.<br />
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Beautiful, shabby chic, porcelain...</div>
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made in England nonetheless.</div>
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Hippy Chic gave me a great deal on them.<br />
I could have hugged her! </div>
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I happily stuffed them in my bag.</div>
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I wandered through the throngs of half frozen blanketed people</div>
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(who were all mumbling about the miserable weather),</div>
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and almost stumbled over this sweet blue bench</div>
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sitting in the middle of the aisle.</div>
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All by itself.</div>
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<br />
It was destiny.</div>
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I picked it up and turned to find the booth owner</div>
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who seemingly appeared out of nowhere ~</div>
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which can be quite unnerving when shopping with an iced brain and contact lenses full of blowing dirt.</div>
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The tag on it said $15.</div>
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After squinting my eyes and asking my usual....<i> </i><br />
<i>"Can you do any better on the price...?"</i>,</div>
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he replied,<i> </i><br />
<i>"How about $5?"</i></div>
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I think I shoved my $5 dollar bill down his shirt in utter joy</div>
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and danced away singing the "Hallelujah Chorus".</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VFYtATIXfwE/U11Hgahga3I/AAAAAAAALz0/oImzaYsamQ0/s1600/bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VFYtATIXfwE/U11Hgahga3I/AAAAAAAALz0/oImzaYsamQ0/s1600/bench.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Yes, I was the crazy, wild haired banshee woman you saw singing her way down the windy road.</div>
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<br />
Three hours later,</div>
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I still couldn't feel my fingers or my nose, and I was ready to hit the road.<br />
I was ready to leave the land of the frozen Blanket Mummies behind.</div>
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My sofa, cozy new quilt, and nice warm house were calling me.</div>
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So, I started back to the field where my SUV was parked. </div>
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Until.....</div>
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<br />
until....</div>
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<br />
until....</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my radar zeroed in on THIS little treasure.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jscQbyK1o3o/U11YKlnRfBI/AAAAAAAAL0E/raSmdYJcx24/s1600/pink+bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jscQbyK1o3o/U11YKlnRfBI/AAAAAAAAL0E/raSmdYJcx24/s1600/pink+bench.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Oh. My. Gosh.</div>
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My feet were planted squarely in front of her.<br />
I wasn't moving for anybody. <br />
She was mine.</div>
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I swooned over the thin, worn, rose patterned fabric on her.</div>
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I loved her pink chippy legs.</div>
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I adored the way someone had tried to lovingly hand stitch the vintage fabric back together,<br />
patching the holes with muslin.<br />
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<br />
<br />
I stared.<br />
Mesmerized.<br />
In love.<br />
<br />
I touched the stitches and ran my hand over the thin, lineny fabric.<br />
There was definitely horse hair under there,<br />
which in my mind, made this little beauty quite old ~<br />
and I loved the thought of having a little horse hair in the house. <br />
(Strange, but true.)<br />
<br />
But.....where to put her??<br />
What room?<br />
What corner?<br />
What place....?<br />
There had to be SOMEPLACE for her to fit in my house.<br />
<br />
<i>"That fabric is very vintage and very rare.</i><br />
<i>I can't remember the name of it, but Google it and you'll see.</i><br />
<i>Oh....and I can do better on the price, you know."</i><br />
<br />
I looked up to see Cool Hippy Chic smiling in front of me.<br />
<br />
<i>"How much better....?", </i>I tentatively asked,<br />
not taking my eyes off of her<br />
{the bench, not the Chic}.<br />
The price had originally been $48,<br />
cut to $35.<br />
<br />
<i>"Oh.....how does $20 sound?"</i><br />
<br />
For 20 bucks, I'd wear her around my neck if I had to<br />
{the bench, not the Chic}. <br />
<br />
I quickly paid Hippy Chic before she changed her mind and went on my merry way.<br />
<br />
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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And wouldn't you know it,<br />
by the time I got home....<br />
the sun was shining.<br />
<br />
Go figure. <br />
<br />
So, Rare Vintage Rose Bench is now happily living in our vintage farmhouse,<br />
(which room however, remains to be seen) <br />
and I'll be looking for more of Cool Hippy Chic's wonderful treasures next month. <br />
<br />
Now...where to put her......?<br />
{the bench, not the Chic}<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hh51G-DWvRk/U11b3pTgSTI/AAAAAAAAL0o/fwWTH40qK2A/s1600/pink+bench5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hh51G-DWvRk/U11b3pTgSTI/AAAAAAAAL0o/fwWTH40qK2A/s1600/pink+bench5.jpg" height="600" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Thus ends the first seasonal installment of "Blanket Mummies of Allegan".<br />
Stay tuned for next month when I may bring you<br />
"Drowned Banshee Rats Raid Allegan"<br />
or maybe even<br />
"Sweaty Banshee Poses With Naked Mannequins in Allegan".<br />
<br />
In Michigan,<br />
you never can tell. <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>~ Eucharisteo ~</i></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FfsH0uCr79g/U11lUu5WxRI/AAAAAAAAL1M/sGgQ9qdWGpw/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FfsH0uCr79g/U11lUu5WxRI/AAAAAAAAL1M/sGgQ9qdWGpw/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" /></a></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://the-chicken-chick.com/">linky</a><a href="http://commonground-do.com/"> parties</a> on the <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">lower</a> <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">right</a> of my sidebar.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-1993919492006943372014-04-21T22:04:00.002-04:002014-04-21T22:04:29.585-04:00Tying Love Around My Heart<div style="text-align: center;">
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The weather men say warm temps are finally on the way.</div>
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We smile at the prediction.</div>
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And God blesses us with a warm, sunny Easter weekend</div>
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filled with friends, family, and flowers.</div>
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A trip to the city to celebrate my mother's 81st birthday ~</div>
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unaware....or aware...it was a special day for her.</div>
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My dad wanted us to gather as a family,</div>
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and we did.</div>
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Seven of us ~ husband, wife, brother, sister, nephew, and niece ~</div>
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embracing love in the room. </div>
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Bittersweet smiles.</div>
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Quiet laughter. </div>
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Warm hugs.</div>
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Kisses land on soft, wrinkled cheeks.</div>
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I tie that love in a bow around my heart during the next day</div>
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as I travel to the garden center.</div>
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Reveling in the warm springtime air blowing my hair in my face. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"When peace like a river...."</i> weaving softly out of the radio.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Closing my eyes in the midst of the sweet, earthy fragrance of watered soil</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and blooming flowers...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I stand in the middle of the greenhouse.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Inhaling deeply.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Smiling.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Joy.</div>
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Sinking hands deep into the warm soil.</div>
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Dark chocolate cake between my fingers.</div>
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Petals soft in my hands. </div>
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Warm breeze cooling a sweating brow. </div>
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As my hands cup young flowers,</div>
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my mind wanders to the mature gardens of last summer.</div>
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My heart waits.</div>
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Anxious.</div>
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Ready to clip and carry armfuls of peonies and roses inside once again...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95AIxGBq4s0/U1XLlbm_n1I/AAAAAAAALvk/HmCZ6_gQjPI/s1600/bathroom+peonies2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-95AIxGBq4s0/U1XLlbm_n1I/AAAAAAAALvk/HmCZ6_gQjPI/s1600/bathroom+peonies2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 2013</td></tr>
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<br />
Ready to settle a tired, happy, body on the front porch swing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cy2PDMgwAxs/U1W63ZF0D_I/AAAAAAAALus/YWRd04SBpAc/s1600/mag+photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cy2PDMgwAxs/U1W63ZF0D_I/AAAAAAAALus/YWRd04SBpAc/s1600/mag+photo2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our front porch featured this month in the premier issue of Flea Market Outdoor magazine. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MpMbvu4Up-s/U1XMSOqyi9I/AAAAAAAALvw/jnOYsPhtXCE/s1600/streamers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MpMbvu4Up-s/U1XMSOqyi9I/AAAAAAAALvw/jnOYsPhtXCE/s1600/streamers.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Mark Lohman</td></tr>
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Maintaining my grateful gaze on God.</div>
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Tying more love around my heart,</div>
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and thanking him for sweet spring weather. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">~ Eucharisteo ~</span></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTgC7JKEXk8/U1XAaXqorxI/AAAAAAAALvA/bJqxFkeUogg/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTgC7JKEXk8/U1XAaXqorxI/AAAAAAAALvA/bJqxFkeUogg/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://the-chicken-chick.com/">linky</a> <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">lower</a> <a href="http://commonground-do.com/">right</a> of my sidebar.</span></span><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span></i></span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-66689644956013508922014-04-13T16:25:00.001-04:002014-04-14T21:37:39.306-04:00Cultivating Moments<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p9XkLwBLsNc/U0rhMmwgOOI/AAAAAAAALnU/MZIvs-H7-3E/s1600/joy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p9XkLwBLsNc/U0rhMmwgOOI/AAAAAAAALnU/MZIvs-H7-3E/s1600/joy2.jpg" height="640" width="484" /></a></div>
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Her words crushed.</div>
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Cruel.</div>
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Stinging. </div>
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Hitting hard and sinking deep.</div>
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Stealing joy. </div>
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Breathing in surprise,</div>
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I exhale unwanted anger.</div>
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Staring at blurred letters.</div>
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Hurt.</div>
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Saddened. </div>
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Misunderstood. </div>
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<i>"Strike back," Blackness screamed, demanded.</i></div>
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I instinctively wanted to.</div>
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<i>"Turn inward," Soul whispered gently. </i></div>
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I reluctantly balked.</div>
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This world.</div>
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So hard and rough. </div>
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I wanted no more of it's darkness and biting ways.</div>
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No more of it's beating me down.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CPfvCxvOPnI/U0rh2funk7I/AAAAAAAALnc/2sSrwATHCX0/s1600/weather+the+storm2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CPfvCxvOPnI/U0rh2funk7I/AAAAAAAALnc/2sSrwATHCX0/s1600/weather+the+storm2.jpg" height="467" width="640" /></a></div>
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I said, "I can not figure things out."</div>
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God whispered, "I will direct your steps."</div>
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I said, "I can not manage."</div>
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God whispered, "I will supply all your needs." </div>
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I said, "I am frustrated."</div>
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God whispered, "Cast all your cares on ME."</div>
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He humbles me. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YokWmwSAZnU/U0riUXgGdEI/AAAAAAAALnk/xXQLTykCC8U/s1600/Humility2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YokWmwSAZnU/U0riUXgGdEI/AAAAAAAALnk/xXQLTykCC8U/s1600/Humility2.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quote from book by Rachel Ashwell</td></tr>
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Breathing. </div>
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Resting in faith.</div>
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Relaxing in His Presence. </div>
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My heart moves toward Him,</div>
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in sync with His steps,</div>
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embracing His love.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MWqAAyOZtjI/U0rVBsNFSqI/AAAAAAAALmg/m_m4H1oK-F0/s1600/petal+heart2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MWqAAyOZtjI/U0rVBsNFSqI/AAAAAAAALmg/m_m4H1oK-F0/s1600/petal+heart2.jpg" height="534" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><i>"What if the art we make – whether the
work of our hands, the words of our mouth, the simple movement towards
others in our ordinary days – </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><i>what if these are the ways Jesus wants to show Himself to a weary world?<br /> </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><i>What if the art we make and live is a daily grace God has in mind for someone else?<br />And our way of living art is one of the million little ways God wants to show himself in the world?" </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">~ author unknown</span></i></span></div>
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No thinking.</div>
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No wondering.</div>
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No imagining.</div>
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No obsessing.</div>
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No apologies for being me. </div>
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I will make art</div>
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and live gracefully.</div>
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Not asking for nor expecting recognition or praise. </div>
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Shutting out the loudness of the world.</div>
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Inviting in the quietness of the Holy Spirit.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NLE2zG5kYug/U0roX4QqzAI/AAAAAAAALoE/9dtse9o2n7o/s1600/pirouette1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NLE2zG5kYug/U0roX4QqzAI/AAAAAAAALoE/9dtse9o2n7o/s1600/pirouette1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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My heart...and my blog...will continue to be a garden where faith is grown.</div>
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A place to continue to cultivate friendships. </div>
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A place to gather words... </div>
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and to spread His Word.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPc6nL9vDWs/U0rjkwmF3HI/AAAAAAAALns/gQ3bAkgujZA/s1600/peonies3.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPc6nL9vDWs/U0rjkwmF3HI/AAAAAAAALns/gQ3bAkgujZA/s1600/peonies3.1.jpg" height="561" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East garden 2013</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>"You are exactly where you are supposed to be.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>If you are happy...revel in it.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>Appreciate the moment.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>If you are unhappy...take note.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>Try to figure out what you are supposed to be learning from this moment.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>For each and every moment woven together over time</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>is your life.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>Each moment matters.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>Each moment has something beautiful to teach us."</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>~ Simple Daisy</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sHKtaJvH1wo/U0rosMSm5HI/AAAAAAAALoM/SmoukMiiJZc/s1600/rosary.2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sHKtaJvH1wo/U0rosMSm5HI/AAAAAAAALoM/SmoukMiiJZc/s1600/rosary.2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">~ Eucharisteo ~</span></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L-wnrTC1i7c/U0rqRYM-_bI/AAAAAAAALoY/axPe4kgPHpk/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L-wnrTC1i7c/U0rqRYM-_bI/AAAAAAAALoY/axPe4kgPHpk/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://the-chicken-chick.com/">linky</a> <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">lower</a> <a href="http://commonground-do.com/">right</a> of my sidebar.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gI8TUcfq7Ts/U0rdH4XxHKI/AAAAAAAALm8/r9awKhh4aic/s1600/Sanibel+Island+WG+drive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-3623285802530546172014-04-07T20:52:00.000-04:002014-04-08T12:01:36.019-04:00Boho-Funky Prairie Shutters<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNj73eAMeOo/Uz4LmNHULpI/AAAAAAAALgA/ZXnalMQmKqk/s1600/roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNj73eAMeOo/Uz4LmNHULpI/AAAAAAAALgA/ZXnalMQmKqk/s1600/roses.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wsO2CREhSuw/Uz4MZz3vKKI/AAAAAAAALgM/yJvz_ACQ810/s1600/roses2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wsO2CREhSuw/Uz4MZz3vKKI/AAAAAAAALgM/yJvz_ACQ810/s1600/roses2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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As early spring sunshine filtered through the studio window,</div>
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sitting amidst pretty roses and prairie curtains...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l-1tH0GY_vk/Uz4KF0-aZII/AAAAAAAALfw/VtHaM_K2xl8/s1600/RA+curtains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l-1tH0GY_vk/Uz4KF0-aZII/AAAAAAAALfw/VtHaM_K2xl8/s1600/RA+curtains.jpg" height="640" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RA curtains in my studio. These are staying here.</td></tr>
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I brainstormed.</div>
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I drew sketches.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6WShuqCjeQ/Uz4Ji_iobRI/AAAAAAAALfY/58IdIu48GHc/s1600/shutters1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6WShuqCjeQ/Uz4Ji_iobRI/AAAAAAAALfY/58IdIu48GHc/s1600/shutters1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I played with pieces of wood.</div>
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The Husband and I trekked to Home Depot and spent hours sorting through planks</div>
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and picking through hinges.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uTuTx8AYK8w/Uz4J5OR9ZRI/AAAAAAAALfo/RtImT5ny_24/s1600/planks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uTuTx8AYK8w/Uz4J5OR9ZRI/AAAAAAAALfo/RtImT5ny_24/s1600/planks.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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And then we started playing.</div>
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Imagining.</div>
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Visually laying out the plan.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zv4g_W7IPd0/Uz4SwuZvlfI/AAAAAAAALgs/CLj0xep7Gvw/s1600/planks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zv4g_W7IPd0/Uz4SwuZvlfI/AAAAAAAALgs/CLj0xep7Gvw/s1600/planks2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Prairie shutters were on the docket for the day.</div>
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Another dream was coming to fruition,<br />
and I could barely contain myself from doing the happy dance ~<br />
while The Husband threw numerous raised eyebrows my way.</div>
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However, we had to finagle these shutters.</div>
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Get creative.<br />
Really creative. </div>
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Since our sofa backs up against one window and the chaise arm is close to the other window,</div>
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we had to rethink having full planks</div>
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because we wouldn't be able to open them all the way.<br />
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Bummer. </div>
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So I decided to design a 3/4 over 1/4 shutter for these windows. </div>
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Something different.</div>
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Something a little funky bohemian.</div>
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Something that could be opened up behind the furniture.</div>
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The top double 3/4 length planks would move as one piece.</div>
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The bottom tri-fold planks would fold in together to clear the furniture</div>
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and then could be folded out again to lay flat against the wall. </div>
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I stained them with Minwax 'Early American' first</div>
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followed by a light coat of homemade chalk paint in the same creamy white shade I've used throughout the house.<br />
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Of course, I didn't have any of my favorite 'prairie pink' paint that I used on the kitchen and bathroom shutters (that you can see <a href="http://heavens-walk.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-pink-chorus.html">here</a> and<a href="http://heavens-walk.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-prairie-shutter.html"> here</a> and <a href="http://heavens-walk.blogspot.com/2013/04/pink-inspiration.html">here</a>).<br />
So, I pulled on my creativity cap and mixed and stirred and mixed and stirred<br />
like a mad scientist.<br />
Adding a little brown, a little black, and a little white to a base of bright pink "oops" paint that I nabbed at The ReStore last month for $10.<br />
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(I never said I was a<i> neat </i>painter, you know....)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TYoXELE8Sdo/U0CG2P3q4xI/AAAAAAAALhE/gPrRYc_shVU/s1600/paint+mix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TYoXELE8Sdo/U0CG2P3q4xI/AAAAAAAALhE/gPrRYc_shVU/s1600/paint+mix.jpg" height="496" width="640" /></a></div>
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The soft lilac-pink shade that I was waiting for gradually appeared,<br />
<i>(in the bottom can above) </i><br />
and I swished it haphazardly all over the shutters. <br />
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At one point, I thought I was finished with painting them and was ready to move into distressing mode.<br />
But just to be on the safe side, I thought I'd haul one inside to see if it was "pink" enough for me.<br />
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Nope.<br />
Not by a long shot. <br />
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I lugged it back outside to the work room,<br />
and as I retrieved my pink-covered paint brush,<br />
I mentioned to The Husband,<br />
<i>"They aren't pink enough. Gotta add more."</i><br />
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<i>The Husband: "I kinda thought that myself."</i><br />
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Wow.<br />
Thank you, Lord, for a husband who doesn't mind pink! <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3UE670QuvUo/U0CH1GCbReI/AAAAAAAALhU/l622FwehUFA/s1600/pink+paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3UE670QuvUo/U0CH1GCbReI/AAAAAAAALhU/l622FwehUFA/s1600/pink+paint.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Palm-sanding and random distressing revealed a vintage look,<br />
followed by a waxing and buffing of clear Annie Sloan Wax to seal it.<br />
I let them set overnight. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCS8nKr12OQ/U0H40H1s-qI/AAAAAAAALkY/5c7ZJsJ9mCs/s1600/distressed+paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCS8nKr12OQ/U0H40H1s-qI/AAAAAAAALkY/5c7ZJsJ9mCs/s1600/distressed+paint.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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After church service on Sunday morning, we had a <i>very</i> quick lunch<br />
(because I was so anxious to get these beauties up).<br />
<i>I don't think I've eaten a piece of left over seafood pizza so fast in my life. </i><br />
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While refraining once again from doing the happy dance,<br />
we used t-strap hinges that I had painted with Rustoleum spray Chalkpaint<br />
to attach them to the wide vintage oak trim that surround our windows.<br />
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We installed the bottom shutters first,<br />
<i>and my toes began to tap.... </i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86HRpcbwB4U/U0HwEhfl-oI/AAAAAAAALh8/bUXNOu__2yk/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86HRpcbwB4U/U0HwEhfl-oI/AAAAAAAALh8/bUXNOu__2yk/s1600/1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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and then we tackled the top set.<br />
<i>My legs were now twitching to the music in my head.</i><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vjOsSUyL_-Q/U0HwotCnpRI/AAAAAAAALiM/T1LhykT27vw/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vjOsSUyL_-Q/U0HwotCnpRI/AAAAAAAALiM/T1LhykT27vw/s1600/6.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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You can see how the top shutters can swing open freely,<br />
while the bottom sections tri-fold in on each other<br />
clearing the arm of the chaise.<br />
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They kind of remind me of a little picket fence. :) <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VmqqYyX1eD8/U0Hxf6zpSCI/AAAAAAAALic/L7xfVGBfFHA/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VmqqYyX1eD8/U0Hxf6zpSCI/AAAAAAAALic/L7xfVGBfFHA/s1600/5.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />
Ok, I can't stand it any longer.<br />
I'll take a moment to do the happy dance<br />
while you take a look at our work.<br />
<br />
<i>{Cue happy feet!}</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BU2aP4brxPs/U0H1ueAT9lI/AAAAAAAALkE/nwPME7q7cOg/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BU2aP4brxPs/U0H1ueAT9lI/AAAAAAAALkE/nwPME7q7cOg/s1600/2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thinking of moving the RA banner to the other side of the sofa by the lamp. Thoughts...?</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vbvwPR2TdIk/U0Hyo52xFhI/AAAAAAAALi0/XPkLRrRKMnY/s1600/96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vbvwPR2TdIk/U0Hyo52xFhI/AAAAAAAALi0/XPkLRrRKMnY/s1600/96.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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A peek through the shutters at the springtime decor on the front porch.<br />
<i>(The snow is just about gone now, thank goodness.)</i><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QIjYYv2OfXc/U0H0r5y6o8I/AAAAAAAALjo/uy_rwvZAdzA/s1600/991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QIjYYv2OfXc/U0H0r5y6o8I/AAAAAAAALjo/uy_rwvZAdzA/s1600/991.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The large tri-fold door filled with rose prints that stood in the corner behind the table the alabaster lamp is on was finally moved and stored in the attic for now.<br />
The absence of it made the entire room feel larger.<br />
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I wanted the prairie shutters to take center stage now.<br />
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And even though the grocery store brand sheer drapes that hung on the windows previously weren't heavy or stifling by any means,<br />
without them, the room felt lighter.</div>
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The shutters will provide privacy at night,<br />
and are the perfect shabby prairie chic way to keep out the cold winter winds<br />
and hot summer sun.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeQcCUelOVI/U0H2fXyCOLI/AAAAAAAALkM/RIhBFjqE3S0/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeQcCUelOVI/U0H2fXyCOLI/AAAAAAAALkM/RIhBFjqE3S0/s1600/3.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love the clean, airy, prairie look they lend to the living room.<br />
There's just something homey and comforting about opening them each morning<br />
and closing them up at night.<br />
<br />
<i>The Husband: "You know...they're even cool when they're not closed all the way."</i><br />
<i>Me: "Really. Who are you and what did you do with my husband...?"</i><br />
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<br />
<br />
A little pink.<br />
A little boho.<br />
A little funky.<br />
<br />
A lot prairie.<br />
<br />
<i>And Husband Approved, too.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">~ Eucharisteo ~</span></span></i></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhAQrehE5jk/U0H7gGBX1nI/AAAAAAAALkk/VzV-LOesr8s/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhAQrehE5jk/U0H7gGBX1nI/AAAAAAAALkk/VzV-LOesr8s/s1600/MY+SIGNATURE.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;">[Thank you, <a href="http://shabbychicgirls.blogspot.com/">Tausha</a>, for your barn-room inspiration for these shutters!]</span><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://the-chicken-chick.com/">linky</a> <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">lower</a> <a href="http://commonground-do.com/">right</a> of my sidebar!<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9197215137790765660.post-63405983886624213442014-03-30T20:09:00.000-04:002014-03-30T20:09:05.426-04:00PRAIRIE STYLE Magazine!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">PRAIRIE STYLE </span></b></span></div>
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magazine</div>
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is back by popular demand!</div>
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Do I hear a a chorus of "Woooot wooot!" out there?<br />
<br />
Are you all doing the happy dance?? <br />
<br />
Yep. I thought so!<br />
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Due to hit the stands in May, </div>
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this always-inspiring magazine boasts high quality paper and printing along with</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d14b73; font-family: Georgia;"><b>144 pages</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"> of beautifully photographed stories and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d14b73; font-family: Georgia;"><b>9 fabulous homes</b></span></span>
from coast to coast and Canada.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Since I am your official tour guide,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">want to take a peek inside....?</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PpKSG3sPvuo/UzeEDA-vuAI/AAAAAAAALbw/Nyvcf4D46sM/s1600/final+clean+cover+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PpKSG3sPvuo/UzeEDA-vuAI/AAAAAAAALbw/Nyvcf4D46sM/s1600/final+clean+cover+(3).jpg" height="640" width="528" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">I want this blue door and green cabinet ~</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">and maybe the sofa.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Yes. Definitely the sofa.</span></span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">just sayin'... </span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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Sorry. Ok. Back to our tour.<br />
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In this issue you will...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zaF9nm9OL3k/UzeEW2MZBNI/AAAAAAAALcA/r7tdk7511oQ/s1600/PRAIRIE+STYLE+TOC+2+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zaF9nm9OL3k/UzeEW2MZBNI/AAAAAAAALcA/r7tdk7511oQ/s1600/PRAIRIE+STYLE+TOC+2+(2).jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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fall under some prairie magic...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BX9yuyWwzt4/UzeEo7QMHNI/AAAAAAAALcI/sq78zCoiUnk/s1600/PLACES+IN+HEART+OPENER+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BX9yuyWwzt4/UzeEo7QMHNI/AAAAAAAALcI/sq78zCoiUnk/s1600/PLACES+IN+HEART+OPENER+(4).jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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tag along on a spring time picnic...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HSndpS4nK1Y/UzeExdkRI4I/AAAAAAAALcQ/2LkWNhCanHk/s1600/PICNIC+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HSndpS4nK1Y/UzeExdkRI4I/AAAAAAAALcQ/2LkWNhCanHk/s1600/PICNIC+(4).jpg" height="640" width="514" /></a></div>
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meet some pioneer dreamers...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kvIrFZfsbo4/UzeE3incwiI/AAAAAAAALcY/NCmSk0h2G2U/s1600/MODERN+PRIONEERS+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kvIrFZfsbo4/UzeE3incwiI/AAAAAAAALcY/NCmSk0h2G2U/s1600/MODERN+PRIONEERS+(4).jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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sigh over luscious blue...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRkIKMTtPPs/UzeFEq-06UI/AAAAAAAALcg/nrq3LgTadr4/s1600/WOAD+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRkIKMTtPPs/UzeFEq-06UI/AAAAAAAALcg/nrq3LgTadr4/s1600/WOAD+(4).jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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peek inside the pantry...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze0a29JICDs/UzeFM6nVz0I/AAAAAAAALco/V6SMimWsfoo/s1600/PRAIRIE+PANTRY+SAMPLE+PAGE+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze0a29JICDs/UzeFM6nVz0I/AAAAAAAALco/V6SMimWsfoo/s1600/PRAIRIE+PANTRY+SAMPLE+PAGE+(4).jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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delight in sweet decor... </div>
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embark on a trip to the Louisana lowlands...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dRc5_uadHk/UzeFYWbwqWI/AAAAAAAALc0/ftZCVfI_9PU/s1600/BECKY+1+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dRc5_uadHk/UzeFYWbwqWI/AAAAAAAALc0/ftZCVfI_9PU/s1600/BECKY+1+%25284%2529.jpg" height="640" width="510" /></a></div>
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visit a ranch style home full of farmhouse charm... </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sZxAAHArZmc/UzeHGfPUGXI/AAAAAAAALdM/RVhoZVZSluU/s1600/charm++comfort+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sZxAAHArZmc/UzeHGfPUGXI/AAAAAAAALdM/RVhoZVZSluU/s1600/charm++comfort+(4).jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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take a walk through a vintage masterpiece...</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9197215137790765660" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BHGHvtRFOUQ/UzeHskBgjWI/AAAAAAAALdU/8JPTbr5ekMw/s1600/EVERAFTER+FARM+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BHGHvtRFOUQ/UzeHskBgjWI/AAAAAAAALdU/8JPTbr5ekMw/s1600/EVERAFTER+FARM+(3).jpg" height="640" width="514" /></a></div>
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get swept into a lovely New England home...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xn1pEeQ1qWE/UzeIZAGcMWI/AAAAAAAALdg/QAJRaQdh3Dg/s1600/grilli+1+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xn1pEeQ1qWE/UzeIZAGcMWI/AAAAAAAALdg/QAJRaQdh3Dg/s1600/grilli+1+(3).jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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embrace some homespun Canadian sweetness...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4CQIkBMvZ4U/UzeIo6F8lxI/AAAAAAAALdo/X6bUT7JopUI/s1600/MELANIE+1+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4CQIkBMvZ4U/UzeIo6F8lxI/AAAAAAAALdo/X6bUT7JopUI/s1600/MELANIE+1+(3).jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9197215137790765660" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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and discover how Appalachia met California.</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYRwNSAc6zY/UzeI5dkD7wI/AAAAAAAALdw/_KQ2y0Iv0qs/s1600/SANTA+YNEZ+(3).jpg" height="640" width="512" /></div>
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And there's even MORE prairie love to see inside!<br />
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So....here's the scoop.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Quantities are <b>LIMITED</b>,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"> so order quickly!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">The next issue be published based on the sales of THIS issue. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">That's right, ladies.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">If there aren't enough copies ordered online or purchased in stores, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">there may not be another PRAIRIE STYLE magazine. </span></div>
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<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">So, order more than one!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Order a few and gift your friends!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Let's support Fifi and PRAIRIE STYLE magazine in any way we can! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Here's the link to place your orders:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;">
</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #540000;"><span style="color: black;">Single orders are $9.99. </span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9197215137790765660" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #540000;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #540000;"><a href="http://www.samplermagazines.com/Country_Sampler_s_Prairie_Style_The_New_American_C_p/sip314b001-01.htm" title="blocked::http://www.samplermagazines.com/Country_Sampler_s_Prairie_Style_The_New_American_C_p/sip314b001-01.htm">http://www.samplermagazines.com/Country_Sampler_s_Prairie_Style_The_New_American_C_p/sip314b001-01.htm</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #540000;"><span style="color: black;">Bulk
orders are 10 copies or more and are $4.99 each. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #540000;"><span style="color: black;"> </span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #540000;"><a href="http://samplermagazines.com/" title="blocked::http://samplermagazines.com/">Samplermagazines.com</a> <span style="color: black;">under the bulk
orders tab.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #540000;"><span style="color: black;">Ok.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #540000;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #540000;"><span style="color: black;">Now, scoot!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #540000;"><span style="color: black;"> Go and order your copies right now! </span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span class="Apple-style-span">~ Eucharisteo ~ </span></span></i></span></span><br />
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Linking</a> to the <a href="http://the-chicken-chick.com/">linky</a> <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">parties</a> on the <a href="http://commonground-do.com/">lower</a> <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/">right</a> of my sidebar!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #540000;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">To read more of my post, please click HERE! Thank you! ♥</div>Heaven's Walkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632739764562279850noreply@blogger.com27