memory picking:)

 

The weather matched my mood today.  After a week plus of bright sunny skies we had our first dark rainy day.  It seemed fitting.  I sifted through pics with the lights off in my studio, the house pin drop quiet, thunder rolling in the distance.  The solitude magnified because my folks just left. This afternoon I curled up on the couch and watched Grey's Anatomy for two solid hours.  I never do that in the middle of the day.  It was nice.  I needed the downtime.

It's a forced "semi-rest" when they come.  I say semi because we are on the GO the whole time.  Doing fun things, but still it's running.  I love it.  For a homebody/workaholic like me a little running is like therapy...a very nice break. 

They were here ten full days this time:)  When they come I step away from the cuffs, and the computer and try to unplug a bit.   We ran all over creation.  We ate at little diners.  We drove for miles to explore every antique store we could possibly find.  We played dominoes and mom made dinner.  We watched the Voice.  It was good.  It was family time.

While they were here we went over to Charlottesville. I love that town.  We had apple cider donuts, and tromped through the orchards with little chick on a mission;)  We nabbed bags of Jonagold apples and promptly came home chopped them all up, and stewed them in the crockpot on low all day.  Talk about warm sweet apple goodness.  These were a little tart, so we sprinkled in cinnamon and sugar.  We even splurged and bought some vanilla ice cream and poured the warm stewed apples over it.  So yummy!

The rest of the week was filled with treasure hunting and projects.  We are moving my studio down to the basement.  It's time to spread out a little.  I was hunting for a dresser to turn into a bathroom vanity and found this beaut!  She screamed green to me...so Eden green she became:)  I promise to show the end result.  It may take a bit.  We've got plumbers, electricians and sheet rock people to work around...but I promise it will be worth the wait;)

We also got spray paint happy and finally took down some chandies we've been wanting to change.  I love the pop of color it added to the dining room. 

We celebrated little chick's birthday early.  Making cupcakes with woodland creatures;)  Cutest little toothpicks ever.  

This visit I hit old things gold and found a sweet little blue VW bug and red vintage clock.  I think my thermos collection is now complete...inspiration came from Megan.  Loved the rusty green lunch pail...reminds me of my daddy:)  My Canvas People prints came!!  Oh and see that awesome HUGE globe I scored?  I had vowed not to buy any more, but it was just too good to pass up.  And last but not least...the happiest little milk truck ever.  I had just finished doing my scary thing, and felt like a reward was in order.  That's better than a cookie right?;) 

Remember that talk I was supposed to give??  Well I did it!!!!  And the Lord completely met me in that moment and it went great.  Seriously best feeling in the world.  What I imagine running a marathon might feel like.  Crossing that finish line.  Whoosh!  I videoed myself practicing and spent a long time trying to figure out how to put it on here and finally gave up.  If I figure it out I'll let you see it.

 

Someone commented on Instagram this week and said that I should be an American Picker;)  Oh MAN!  First of all I LOVE that show.  I could spend hours watching them drive all over, meeting new people, learning the history behind their finds.  What an amazing job!  But here's the kicker...I don't think I could let my "treasures" go.  I'm sentimental to the core.  You put a hunt, with a story and a memory tied to it and I hold it close.  Maybe too close as I look around my house with all of it's little collections. 

I know one thing for sure.  I treasure my people.  And that's a good thing.  These visits I don't take for granted.  These memories we make going here and there mean the world to me.  I guess I'm just a good old fashioned memory picker!  And that truly IS the best job in the world:)

 



Just in case you missed these...

a few of the heartfelt blog posts I've read lately.

Sasha's decision to go gray.

Alicia's heart laid bare.

Tiffini stepping back.

Jackie bravely facing the C word.

Jeanne speaks out.

 

**So I'm taking off on Thursday to visit some friends in sunny Southern California!!!  I am so SO excited.  It's a trip we've talked about for years.  If you want to follow along on Instagram my name is farmgirlpaints.  See you in a week or so.

Be a blessing.

lovin' from papa

dominoes with Grandma Dixie

Lissa and Tracy here I come!

gorgeous weather...leaves painted and getting ready to FALL:)

a full house!

transformation 101

Yesterday was a half day at school.  YAY!  For months we've had on our calendar to visit the Lewis Ginter Botanical garden's butterfly house and to watch "The flight of the Monarch" at the Virginia science museum on the big IMAX:)) 

It was the perfect day.  It really was.  The weather was glorious.  The butterflies were active!!! 

 

It's a little tricky snapping a picture of one in mid-flight.  But I tried!

The butterfly house was like a tropical rain forest.  It was all glassed in and they keep it misty.  We were all SO hot and sweaty.  I looked like I had just stepped out of a steam bath...with long sleeves on;)

My cutie!  We've got a little boy teasing her at school.  Making fun of her teeth...her hair.  We had to have the talk again about how hurting people hurt others.  About how words really do sting and it's okay to feel sad, but you need to forgive and be kind anyway....tell the teacher...and do not to dwell on those words, because in your heart you know that they are so not true.

Then I had a moment in the car where momma bear came out, and I said a snide remark and we laughed.  We got that out of our system and then we adjusted our focus and talked about being kind again;)  I'm human after all.  And that's my baby, and dangit if she isn't just adorable!! 

The fact is it's easy to love people who love you.  It's easy to be nice to those who are lovely.

...to be kind to those that support your dreams and help you through life. 

It's a lot harder to feel good around someone who obviously doesn't like you or who puts you down.  It's challenging to look past the jabs and stabs and see what the other person may be going through for them to lash out.  And it may not always be a bad home life or any underlying pain...honestly it may just be that nasty monster of insecurity that makes them tear you down so they feel a little bigger...a little better about themselves:/

Whatever the reason it hurts and despite that hurt Jesus commands us to love.  To turn our faces away.  It goes against every fiber of our being to do that.  We want to strike back.

But we are commanded to love!

 

Whoever does not love does not know God, because GOD IS LOVE! 1 John 4:8

When we come to Him we become a new creation.

The old flesh must die.  Our sinful ways need to come under His submission.

So we can spread our wings, FLY...and draw others to Him.

To mirror him.  To reflect His ways.  It's a constant aligning.  And I'll be honest I fail miserably...often!  People annoy me.  Kids annoy me.   How does He love at all times?  Something to strive towards.

Speaking of transformation...my girls are blooming right before my eyes.  I can't believe how fast time is going and how much they are changing.  It completely freaks me out.  In a good way, but still!! 

**My folks are on their way:))  It's going to be a fun week or two. 

Follow along on Instagram if ya want...farmgirlpaints.

Be a blessing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

using our big girl cameras

fun time, not work time, with sweet T

 

God's glorious creation and attention to detail

downtime with my parents

crisp air

life lessons

my daughters...love them so much it literally hurts!

 

 

get your LMM happy on:)

Good Morning...it's Monday.  Yep I actually know what day it is.  I realized after the fact that I said the wrong day on my last post.  Not surprising.  Last week felt really long.  And now with my honey home allthetime...I never know what day it is:)


It's a good day though because I finally played around with some recent HaPPy MaIL!!!  When my Sasha girl said she had been busy painting she wasn't lying.  I about died when I saw all the goodies she'd been working on...and well I bought almost everything in her shop:) They were all so happy and colorful.  And y'all know I love happy and colorful:))  I have no idea where I'm going to put them all, but that's a good problem to have.

She doesn't just paint pretty she makes these towels too.  I have no idea how she does it, but she does it well.  I have the ball jar one too.  If you don't know what that one is run over right now and see if she has any.  For the longest time I never used it because it was just too nice.  I finally stopped that nonsense.  Anyway love my new cow...even if it's all ready for the butcher shop:)

Okay so this is beside the point, but I'm wanting to paint my kitchen a light bright color.  Maybe white...maybe a gray.  I've never done that before.  Would love any tips on how you might have done it??  Also the countertops scare me.  There is no room in the budget to change them out, but I'm afraid they will look odd with white cabinets.  My dream would be to change out the tan backsplash and put in a white subway tile with darker gray grout.  EEEEEEK! 

Can you see it??  I CAN!!!  Our kitchen is pretty dark.  I just want to brighten it up. 

So I started getting out a few fall things.  The air is turning a bit.  Have you started??  I of course had to put out the pumpkin Sasha print.  LOVE!!!  And my truck...hello!!!! 

I just love this little entry table.  So happy and now festive:) 

I also added a few little things to my mantle.  I love red, so that wasn't a stretch, and the sunflowers just scream fall to me for some reason.  I came back from my time with Megan this summer wanting to get as many thermos' that I could find.  She has a really cool collection on top of her kitchen cupboards.  Just looks so campy and homey:)

Okay friends  Sasha's shop is OPEN!!!!  I stole these pics from her blog....that way you can see them all displayed.  She's got a coupon code for my readers - becky10 for 10% off.  Don't wait too long it expires October 1st:)  Go get your happy on!!



 

Speaking of happy.  This video is hilarious.  A reader sent it to me because I like foxes.  If you watch it expect to be singing this catchy song all day;)  Thanks Susan!

Be a blessing.

 

Panera shortbread cookies...

a text I sent Tamara about Kari Jobe liking Nora's cuff!!!  EEEEEEK:)))

finally getting my art scanned...ready for the next step!