Somehow me and Mom ended up with an old kitchen cabinet.

It was dirty, so Mom got me a brush and some oxiclean...


....and the paint came off. IN CHUNKS. 
Literally just years and years (probably dating back to the 1930's-1950's somewhere) of paint layers, from the top coat of off-white to grey and then to black. 
I realized we had a mess on our hands, but at some point we took a step back, looked at it, and realized how Fixer-Upper like it could be. 

There really is potential in it, but we haven't gotten to finish (or start). 
A neighbor of mine is moving, and gave me all these acrylic paints. It's not like I have some great place to store a mini art studio, so I hauled 'em out to the screened in porch, loaded them into the old kitchen cabinet, and closed the doors.

Then I opened it again, and, it felt like celestial music was playing in the back round.

                      can you hear it?


Life is a bit like this chipped old cabinet.

It's got so many flaws, and ugly splotches, and a black beginning. The hinges might be a little awkward, the shelves have an odd scent, and, most people would probably ditch it in the dumpster a.s.a.p.

Yet...

The white makes it bright, the light makes it peaceful, and the chips are scars from old history and lessons now learned.
And inside?
there's enough paint to beautify 30 canvasses.
And somehow, a person can look at it, and think, "I love this ugly thing"

and smile.

...

And you know what, I'm that ugly thing.

And God is that person.

...

No matter how flawed, chipped, or dirty we are, if we have Jesus inside us, we are gloriously beautiful. Just like the expensive acrylics in the old cabinet.
So be beautiful, today, my friends.

Do you relate to the old kitchen cabinet?

Some girl's been busy taking pictures...almost all day. And *ahem* in Sarah's words "Gone on Pinterest" (or however you said it dear no don't hit me with that donut pillow). So, let's re-wind.

Me and Mom started a business for our art...crochet accessories (baby goods, headbands hats & the like), knitted stuff (cowls & such), signs (which is where I come in...heehee you know I've always got a paintbrush stashed somewheres *frowns* unless my rabbit's eaten it) and other things like chalkboards.

So, this last weekend we took a step up and started a Pinterest.

Did you realize everyone replaced the once popular "FYI" with "BTW"?

Do you have a Pinterest?

So...there's this thing. It's a march. In the nation's capital.

It's to protect life.

Why do we need it?

Because people are killed.

Babies. Who cannot speak.

Or defend themselves.

Who are we?

We are their voice.

We march for God...we march for life.

Okay, insiders view? It was c-o-l-d. COLD. fierce wind, people. The crowd? It was a sea. People from FRANCE came for this!!

France!

Are you for life?

Did you see the march on the web/t.v?

Are you praying for the U.S babies?

Me talking to Mom "We should make these little gingerbread men into baby Jesus. No, that would be sorta weird."

Me and Mom making sugar cookies....

Mom "Mic likes to make a three-course meal from one."

Me "Well, it looks good."

And THEY DO...DON'T THEY??? There's probably about 60 something sugar cookies, and about 3 dozen gingerbread men. IT'S TOO HARD TO LOOK AND NOT EAT.

(I know you like the 'swoop' hair)

I watched Disney's A Christmas Carol last night. Through the whole movie, I think one gains a sense at the end...the purpose of Christmas. Joy. We are not in darkness any longer. And that is the truest meaning of Christmas...that we have a Saviour, to set us free from sin.

 Well, as my hair is up in pin curls, and my Dad is calling me 'Aunt Jemima'...I must leave.

Merry Christmas, my wonderful blogger people. And to all a good night.

Do you make Christmas cookies?
Have you ever watched the end of Disney's 'A Christmas Carol' feeling like you just came from a hurricane?
What do you love most about Christmas?

^^Ahh^^

So...as a *brief* update...went caroling and drank cocoa and ate sweet potato pie and watched Hallmark movies and decorated our live tree and sniffled 'cause the Grinch isn't on T.V.

And put someone's gift under THE TREE. No, I haven't opened it. Or have I? *smirks* I would never, no worries.

About that tree. Well, this giant old fellow went timbers the other day.


(I know right, where's all the leaves...or snow)

You ever have those brief thoughts...kind of like 'no one has ever put their foot on that tree'. And suddenly you have to go walk on it. Well, I'm officially the first person to walk on it.

For some reason the poor thing reminded me of myself...not that I'm rooted to the ground or anything *smiles* but because it seems I'm always almost falling. With Chaine turns, or pirouettes (partially have my double on the right) I came close to knocking out the tree. And then...there was parent watch night *covers face in hands* where I almost spun into someone.

I see a girl with wrinkles

Who in years is still

Young

In heart

Forever old

Who has loved

Knowing she was at loss

Who has cried

Believing her tears

Would never be returned


Wisdom may kiss the old

As it cradles the young

But never be deceived

For behind the youthful creases

There are wrinkles

Like the sand


As the tide laps the surf

So the young forgets her worries

So the aged sun seems again a youth

And the world returns it's glory

But between the 'Hello' and 'Goodbye'

A sparkle flashes in that eye

Few may see it

Yet it shows

Wrinkles upon the sand

Many, yet few she chose

Studying about that good ol' way

And who shall wear the starry crown?

Good Lord show me the way!

O sisters let's go down

Let's go down, come on down

O sisters let's go down

Down in the river to pray

❤

(a song I have been singing, cherishing, and in awe over.  The astonishing history of it is as beautiful as the simplicity of the lyrics. It' has an undying, eternal flavor that is as the candle that never burns out. Learn + Listen )

Have you heard this song?
Do you pray outdoors?

See this furry fella?
I've grown up with him.

FOR ALMOST HALF MY LIFE.

We are best friends. He lets me cuddle him (and take hilarious pics of him, and spoil him...) and I feed him hay and those pellet things that look like you would need cement teeth to chew but apparently he likes them.

Owning a rabbit is like owning a constant two-year old. Always getting into something their not supposed to. Either he's just turned a basket into wood chips or dug up a potted plant. But what can I say??? I love him. I took so many pics of him and he was an amazing model (not counting all the times he turned around).

October. 

It's sound is like a whisper taking flight on the tips of the autumn leaves as they flit through the cool, crisp air. It's like the garland over the gate of the end of the year, looping down proudly with red and brown, gold and orange. October is the flight through seasons, that gently pushes you, happily, into the coming fall.






Welcome October. 

Stay awhile, bring some gifts of Mums and of friends, pumpkins, hot cocoa and such. Then leave slowly, after every beautiful leaf has descended onto the earth floor. Thank the Lord for painting October so brilliantly beautiful.


What are your plans for this October?
Have you ever been in a corn maze or eaten a pumpkin pie?
Have you started knitting yet?

Bethany has always been our family's go-to vacation spot. I fell in love with the dear beach...let me share a corner of it's page with you.



-Ocean
This is obvious. It is astounding to think that, looking across this massive body of water (the ol' pond) are huge continents I've never seen...foreign countries with the same water lapping at their sands. British beaches. Oh.

It makes me feel how strong and powerful our God is-that he made such a roaring tide.

The ocean is a wonder and a beauty, it can be so calm and peaceful, and then so wild and ruff within the same day. I love the ocean, because I'm part mermaid, you see, and whenever everyone else is ready to dry off I'm ready to leap back in. I would be beaten to a pulp by the end of the day if Mom did not save me.

-Boardwalk 
Ah! The boardwalk. Fries (soggy, though, you know) soft serve (I cannot possibly count how many free samples I have eaten from that place. Custards the best.) T-shirt shops and cafes. The salt of the ocean is the perfume of the boardwalk, it's tune is the hum of crashing waves and ravenous seagulls.

Everywhere people are casual (and tanned) with the gentle breeze that comes off the sea.

-Sand
To me, there is almost nothing so wonderful for the feet as to sink into warm, deep, golden sand. Here and there are smoothly rounded pebbles that could be mistaken for jewelry, and hermit crabs if you have a good eye.

-Dolphins 
Just last week we took our trip to Bethany, and right as I first tripped onto the beach I saw dolphins; the sun glinting off of their wet bodies as they swam (or jumped) through the water. How cute they are! And I had not seen one since I was young.

-Seagulls
a-hem. Seagulls and me have a love-hate relationship. Personally, I admire their nautical little suits and dainty beaks, their call-which is so very beachy-and how they are always on watch. Also...you have to love those cute faces. Unfortunately, however, the seagull family comes in the thousands at Bethany.

-Environment 
Bethany was originally a Christ-based town, and there are still many fragments of Christianity around. For one it has a mostly wholesome, family feel.

-Shops
Sweatpants. Boho attire. Cute beachy necklaces. Quirky things you can't find anywhere else.

-Sunrise
I have not witnessed the sunrise there for...around half my life ago. I still remember how glorious and breathtaking it was, and will continue every morning to be.

-Cottages
I cannot explain enough on this one...nautical, spiral staircase. bright or faded colors, tall, windows. Beautiful. It's an attraction just to see them.

-Neighborhoods
As well as the cottages, the neighborhoods are perfect. How I like those sandy roads and grasses, and the slight passage of the sea between the homes, the sound of the waves crashing near, and seagulls overhead.

-Memories
I learned to ride a bike on one of those roads...I made friends...many sunburns...game nights with family...boogie boarding with Josh...eating donuts...laughing...napping and listening to the waves.

-Tans
All 'round. When I got home last week, I had what I like to call 'the bumble bee burn' in three stripes. I wonder how I ever was so pale.

-Swimming
...Or throwing your body crazily into a wave hoping you'll come out on the other side okay. Also getting caught in one of these especially large waves, almost or close as tall as yourself and going through a washing cycle, then coming out feeling as if your a wet blanket, sitting down and still being pushed in and out with the waves though you are on dry land.

-Traveling 
Half-fun. On the way up your tired, but excited, on the way back you and your brother figure out some odd way of sleeping where the seat buckle is sticking in your ribs.

-Hoodies
Because they say Bethany Beach and are teal.

-Sea Foam
I remember a time when I called it 'frothee' and that was all I would play in.

-Pebbles
(I said 'pebbles' not 'peebles') The pebbles on the beach/in the water are the best! Their so clear they almost look see-through. I'd warn you not to try and fish them out when a giant wave is coming, though.

-Salt Water
It's so clean and clear (and boy it stings the eyes). When I came home I had some skin problems gone just from it.

-Totem Pole
It's quite famous.

-Flowers
I could smell them from the car.





Do you love Bethany Beach like I love Bethany Beach?
Have you ever been to the ocean?
Where is your go-to vacation spot?
Are you thrilled for fall-fashion?

I had my 1950's party!! *Hands out pink balloons and I Love Lucy discs*. Let me just say how thrilled I was at having the idea  for this. Ahhhhhh.

First I had to get the normal stuff....my theme was 50's, movies, and pink. Pink balloons, as well as pictures of 1950's movie scenes and models I had printed out and water colored, served as decor, with some teal and pink streamers.



Punch ( okay this is a must, I mean, this stuff was the bestest. Alden's strawberry ice cream + Zevia Cream Soda = fantabulous) was served in ball or jam jars with retro pink/striped soda straws.

A few friends and I headed down to the beach to go paddle boarding/swimming first. It was wonderful and marvelous at the beach...all low-tide and sand bar filled. Also some crabs...


When we came home and dried off, everyone came through the TIME PORTAL and into the 1950's! I mean, so cute! I'm in the mint green w/ floral skirt (which, by the way, I was wearing two to give it that extra 'fluff'). I was also wearing my Softspot sandals, and had my hair in pin-up curls with a bandanna.

We watched I Love Lucy (ooooh, you didn't think I was going to leave it out, did you???) and ate food. Hot dogs. Classic 50's junk food.

I'm so glad I got in the party before school came back, it half being like a last-bit-of-summer-vacation-party.


Before most everyone went home we had a marvelous time with an improv skit, which, by the way, are honestly the funnest things to do with friends.
 Everyone enjoys them and everyone remembers them. We did not, however, beg anyone for a mink stole, so rest assured on that point.

It was so much fun, and next time might be a 1960's party *emoji with wide eyes*.

See yeah later kids.

What era would your retro party be in?
What would you wear to a 1950's party?
Have you ever paddle boarded?

Notice anything odd about this photo?

....the goat is outside the fence. outside....the fence (and I know the first thing you obviously noticed was how quirky cute that little chub wub is). Little Wilbur here (name courtesy of me and my Dad...courtesy of Mr. Ed, the show) has BENT a hole in the fence, and comes and goes as he wishes. Matter fact, he gets the whole empty field opposite to himself.

 Anyways, this little piece of the farm life is attached to our neighborhood...I can hear the roosters (and on occasions some cows) from our house. But, you know, I like it.



There was also a seriously adorable black calf who seemed to be....sticking his tongue out at me. *Laughy winky face*.


Do You Love the 'Farm Life' (and little fat goats)?
Have You Ever Rode a Bike Through Farm Territory?
Grow Flowers?

Over the bay, across wrinkles of sandbars and a back drop of smoothly painted sky, hung a 'strawberry moon', as the weather people call it. To see such a lovely ball of brightness, overlooking all the glory of the bay at night, is a summer evening to remember.


Yesterday my Mom surprised me by bringing a grape crate into my room. Together we styled it a bit, and then I added some personal touches. Ah! How long I've been trying to capture that vintage/rustic/simple/pretty style. And there it is. A piece of it, at least. just a touch of the vintage life. My Mom also had the creative idea of putting a mason jar with flowers inside a pantyhose (see where I get my random creative ideas ;) And thennnn....I made a chalkboard (yes, I like chalkboard stuff. Yes, I could possibly be overdoing it.) on a square of poster board, with seashells from our beach.







Did you see the 'Strawberry Moon'?
What have you crafted lately?
Which project did you like the most?