Monday, January 15, 2018

Make Home Sweet ~ January

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In my home I just love to make it cozy, clean, and welcoming to those two little girls (they'll always be little) and my hard working husband.

I'm not home all day like I was for those precious 13 years but I can still carve time to make our home a priority.  So that they know I still care.  That being here is peaceful.  That our home is jolly (yes all year long)  That our home sparks creativity and is a place to find dreams in your heart.

I can remember dreaming in my growing up bedroom.  How I loved the flower wallpaper and the white quilt on my bed.  I want the same for my daughters.  A place to dream.

I'm finding that January decorating is calm, peaceful, clean, and minimal. 

I think I'm inspired by nature in January.  The cold, crisp days, the bright sun after a big snow, the dark cozy nights when the fires must be lit nonstop when we are home, the huge storms that color the world where we live clean.

I find that as the mama in this house I set the stage for our home life.  And setting the stage for me begins with a home that is not only filled with things that are pretty but words that build up those I love.  I try to find ways to bless my family each day and one of them is how I make our home a priority.  Something as simple as a mantle change around or simple cranberry sauce in the oven.  It's so easy to do!  Here are some things I keep in mind:

1.  Turn my Heart Home: 
Sometimes when a week at school is just so busy, or the girls evening activities have us going in too many directions I know that I need to carve our time on the weekend to put a little love back in our house.  A quick clean, a tidy, and decorating for the season always does the trick for me; for us.  It's a like a reset.

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2.  Turn my Thoughts toward Sweetness: 
It's up to me to remove the chaos and the stress in our lives.  Simple classical music, the fireplace on, a pot of tea sets the mood.  And then taking a step back and remembering that those in front of me are dearly answered prayers.  My thoughts are connected to my words.  What I think I say.  So I purpose to think good things about my life, my daily chores around the house, and most importantly, those around me.

3.  Turn Toward What is Important to me:
When I'm busy and the chores and to-dos of the day can feel overwhelming I often think "why and I doing this?  Does the decorating matter?"  Well, not as much as the nurturing of course but creating beauty around us - even in a simple vignette on a table creates beauty in the heart.  Most importantly, in decorating I want to create a home my family feels loved in.  And it all starts with a sweet and nurturing attitude!

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I asked Abigail to set up these little winter mice and look what she did!!!  A chalice and paten!

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I've decided to leave little snippets of Christmas up throughout the house this year.  Of course most is tucked away as it should be (that's the magic in Christmas) but I love Christmas too too much to have it all gone.

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4. Turn Toward Truth:  
Spending time in prayer and in His Word is life changing each day.  Those that I don't are frazzled and hurried.  And I try to do too much in my own strength.  And oh boy, I can't do a day in my own way.  But when I meet with Him early each morning He renews my strength.  When I ponder (roll over, think about) a verse that I love then thoughts of stress or worry or even weariness can't creep in.  God tells us to think on lovely things (Philippians 4:8) and our mind will be free to love others more and put our daily lives in perspective.

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Oh yes, I love how the ribbon on those rose ornaments matches the tea kettle.

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Most of my favorite tea mugs are winter.  I am a winter girl, yes I am!

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Sweetest spoons ever... and my collection started with this very special teacher and friend.

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5.  Turn Toward Back-to-Basics: 
I choose to fill my home with loving words, tenderness, patience, a nurturing spirit, comfort, encouragement, guidance, cleanliness, order, joyful and peaceful music, nourishing food and homemade treats.  We say grace before a family dinner each night and go to church on Sunday to remind our hearts of truth, joy, and love.  I believe that all of these things make my family feel loved and safe and cherished.  And even though I give give give to my classroom all day, I can still carve time for back- to -basics homemaking.  It nourishes my soul.

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Did you see the photo a few up from here?  It's my Bible desk and on Christmas morning a new chair was there to surprise me.

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I gasped out loud.  A Christmas Hitchcock chair!!!  An antique, beautifully restored.  The painting on the panel original and untouched.  A dream come true!

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I saw this chair back here when we picked out our dining room.  And I took a picture of it because I wanted to look at it forever.  TEA!  There is a tea shoppe!

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A Christmas Hitchcock chair was something I never would have thought we'd even save up and buy.  I thought maybe when my home was filled with grand babies, then we'd be able to afford one.  But there it was!

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Yes, bits of Christmas will stay.

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Noel's home was decorated for winter too.

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This home, this family, these things I remind myself of are so important to me.  My life is beautiful.  Not because I have a few beautiful things that I cherish but because of the beautiful people I share it with.




3 comments:

  1. Always so lovely in your home :-) How are you finding time to balance everything with going back to work? Is it challenging? Hope you are having a wonderful day!

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  2. Your home looks so cozy. I love your new desk chair is amazing!

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  3. That should have said ....I love your new desk chair. The details are amazing. 😊

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