Rainy Days

art by Susan Rios

We are expecting bad weather today. Thankfully, I've done the grocery shopping this morning and now have everything I need here at home to make meals.

I plan to spend my day making sweet tea and baking brownies for dessert. I will putter and tidy up around the house. I will engage the girls in rainy day occupations such as reading, board games, jigsaw puzzles, crafts, and a movie. Rainy days are good for afternoon naps as well.

Rainy days are not bad days in my book. They are days that offer a change of pace and bring a new sense of coziness to our life here at home.

Without rain, we'd never have rainbows. The sun will shine again, but today, let it rain...

From my rainbow-lovin' heart to yours,

Mindful Homemaking

These days I find such peace and contentment here at home as I am learning to slow down and be mindful in my homemaking.

I realized that homemaking is never done and so I no longer attempt to finish it all in one day. There will always be dishes to wash, laundry to do, floors to be swept, etc.

Now I take my time and enjoy the process of bringing beauty and order to our home. I find I am becoming more patient and calm.

No longer do I look at homemaking as a burden to rush through so I can get to the "fun stuff". Tending my home has become fun! I still have plenty of time to do the things I enjoy.

So if you are feeling harried and hurried, stop. Breathe. Slow down and focus on the task at hand. Do what you can today. The rest will wait tomorrow for you.

From my happy homemaking heart to yours,

Collections

Today I thought I would share a few of my collections with you. None cost much at all, but I love them and they make me smile. That's the most important thing in decorating, isn't it? Love.

I adore these colorful glass bottles! They are small, but the colors are so pretty. They were thrifting treasures. I only paid $1.75 each for them and I hope to find more.

The two dolls on the right are mine, but I inherited the doll in pink because my girls think she is creepy. Poor Dolly! I wrote a post about Polly and Nelly which you can read here.

I love Willow Tree figurines for the beauty and simplicity! The ones I have represent my husband and I and our children.

From my collectin' heart to yours,

Simple Changes

Today I decided to change up the pictures in my living room. This large wall looks a little plain at the moment, but I will make do with it as it is until I find the perfect pieces to add to it.

This is now my picture gallery wall. I am going to get my Mama to build shelves that fit the length of the nook and will make it look built-in.

Isn't it funny how the simplest changes make a whole new look?

From my picture lovin' heart to yours,

Gratitude

This week I am thankful for:

~ Spring-like weather that allow me to leave the windows open day and night. I love the way the curtains billow in the gentle breeze and being able to hear the birds and crickets.

~ Mindful homemaking. What a difference it makes!

~ Thrifting treasures bought for a song.

~ The satisfaction of a job well done.

~ Rearranging furniture and belongings to create a new look without spending a dime.

How about you? What are you thankful for this week?

From my thankful heart to yours,

The Sunroom

Today I decided to work on my sunroom. It was in dire need of a good cleaning. I wish I had taken before pictures for it was bad!

The right side of the room...

Pretties displayed atop the entertainment center...

The left side of the room...

Kenzie's keyboard and art easel...

This room will eventually get an overhaul, but for now clean and tidy will do!

From my tidy heart to yours,

Making Do and Thrifting Treasures

The light in my office has taken on a life of its own. It goes off and turns on again at will. So I determined to remedy the situation myself for the time being. I unhooked the printer that no longer works with my new Windows 7 operating system and replaced it with a lamp from the bedroom. I'll make do with this until I can have my BIL check it out.

I went to the thrift shop today and came away with the loveliest books to while away the time with.

Books one, two, and four from The Mitford series by Jan Karon

A New Graft on the Family Tree by Isabella Alden 

Mary Arden

and

The War Romance of the Salvation Army by Grace Livingston Hill

 All six books were just $8!

From my book lovin' heart to yours,