beauty & the rest

Since moving twice in the months of December and January, I am just now beginning to settle into my new place. Our apartment is upstairs in this little duplex close to downtown. Perfect location. Good space. Really great landlords. It was worth the stress of living in a temporary location so we could get it. Roomie & I have slowly but surely purged old things that don't fit, and added the things we like. I have enjoyed the process. I don't know how Princess Francesca (aka Roomie) has faired, but however she feels, she is beginning to put photos on the wall & pretty up her own room. I take that as a good sign. Through the process of working on my room, I have realized that beauty matters. There is something in the way I was made that needs a place of rest at the end of the day, and a place of rest to me includes order, color, & memory. Beauty inspires me. It invokes reminiscing, creativity, hope for change. The author of my favorite blog often describes the conflict between the desire for things to be made whole (a part of beauty) & the reality of a broken world. It has been freeing to realize that this desire is a part of God's image reflected in us. I believe God loves beauty, because He created it. I believe that He will restore this broken world, because He sent His son to do it. I like looking around my room and finding reminders of that. Come take a tour of the things that have inspired me lately... a quote board on the front stoop.

the top of my file cabinet, home to some bling & an african violet (which I am thrilled is still living)

notice the grey curtain in the background. My sweet sister-in-law found it, brand new & cheap, at our downtown thrift store. I had stopped myself four times from buying it at Target, so of course, I squealed like a girl. 'Cause I am a girl! I have had this cool frame forever, have wanted to use it, & finally did... This is still in process, but I like it. I used some of my favorite scrap fabric pieces and put them in some inexpensive crosstitch hoops I found. I bought the hoops to actually crosstitch, but am using them as deco until I learn how...

I took some more scraps of my favorite fabric & framed a card I like so much I can't ever seem to send it to someone.

I also, made this framed art from peacock feathers a patient gave me, burlap ribbon left over from cousin Jindrew's (Jina & Andrew) fall wedding, and more fav fabric remnants. A second card I couldn't part with so I framed it in burlap.

I actually tend to buy cards because they are beautiful, and end up saving one or two of them because I like them too much to use up completely. I decided to put them out since I didn't want to use them. I snagged a black wire angled file holder at a garage sale and have them displayed on my desk.

I love how it turned out, and am please that this area of beauty is actually functional.I think functional beauty is also an important reflection of who God is. Please excuse this next photo, couldn't seem to hold the camera still. My Mumsy's husband (Papa Carl) made this chicken wire in a simple black frame.

I love having all my jewelry out, makes it easier to pick out what to wear. For the ones I don't tend to wear, I still can enjoy them. I added a mirror I found at Walmart, placed it behind the blinging chicken wire & viola...Functional beauty! I have this white milk glass light from my Grandma Ardis. I have had it for years & keep not using it because it just doesn't go. When I started thinking about changing my room, I kept coming back to this lamp. Because my space is small, I wanted everything to be white or glass. I gave this special inspirational piece a place of honor...

I am a little embarrassed that I bought the two books next to it because they were beautiful and matched my room. That was not the only reason I liked them, It was just the reason I bought them. I tend to read from either of them, A Field Guide To Western Birds by Roger Tory Peterson & Sonnets From The Portuguese And Other Love Poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, if I am having trouble falling asleep. The bird book has been especially entertaining since I discovered the section on owls. Peterson wrote and illustrated the book, but I don't just love it because it has pictures. HA! I love it also because he writes out the sounds that these birds make. For example, the Pygmy Owl's voice is described as " A single mellow whistle, hoo, repeated every 2 seconds. ALso a rolling series, ending with 2-3 deliberate notes: too-too-too-too-too-too-too-too-took-too-took. Wanna try it? I did & it's fun! These three lockets hang above the milk glass lamp & the beautiful books of fun...

The one on the left, a gift from Brookie & Rachie, middle - from Grandma Ardis, right - gift from Tim & Jill.

...which hang below a shutter I found at one of my favorite stores, Consignage,

...and whose color inspired the color of my room. I have been pretty occupied on working way too much, setting up my room, and not much else. Princess Francesca & I taking a break to walk downtown for a beer & tappas. Notice the crowded wall behind our heads. Yes, I have way too much up there, but the hall is small and hidden & I have tried to restrict my favorite things to a space that doesn't take over the place.

I spent a hot morning with Tim, Jill & the boys last weekend touring of the Warbird Museum. It is so fun to see Pilot J so so so excited about airplanes. I think he told me three times that day about getting to fly in an airplane. See Pilot J on Tim's shoulders & Jill in background with Dino E strapped in his "vehicle"

Dino E on the other hand, was so so so excited about walking, and was very clear that he wanted me to hold his hands so he could cruise "on his own".

The adults were thrilled about the delicious icies we pigged out on. Another fun reason to head out of the work / room set-up cave was to celebrate Dino E's 1st Birthday!

I cannot believe that he is one! He is getting so big which is great & also depresses me to no end. Why can't they stay babies? Today, I am spending my Saturday working, catching up on emails, praying for my sweet niece A.G. who is recuperating from surgery, & celebrating my sweet baby Sister-in-law Susan's birthday! Here is one of her presents, waiting to be mailed.

I hope you are finding moments of beauty today!