Rural Simplicity

The Perfect Guest Room: It's a dream of mine to have this certain guest room. A place I've pieced together from different houses I've been blessed to visit. Touches from housewives across the world all brought together into what this housewife thinks is close to heaven! And now that I live in a three bedroom house, I have the space to create that very room! I call it Vintage Pastel... Guest List: 1) A Bed you would want to sleep in!       - fresh sheets      - good quality pillows 2) A chair 3) Cups (or water bottles) and snacks 4) Available outlet 5) Wifi pass code 6) Alarm clock 7) Lamp/reading light 8) Extra blankets and pillows 9) Luggage rack 10) Kleenex & trash can 11) ibprofen 12) Notepad & pen 13) Jewerly/ accessories plate 14) Reading material 15) Air freshener/candle & matches 16) Mirror 17) Hangers 18) Fan 19) Clothing hamper 20) No personal items in room 21) Not a furniture ...

I promised pictures of Emma's woodland room months ago! Well, here we are moved into a new house and she now has a room all to herself. Needless to say our decor looks much nicer in a sprawling bedroom rather than behind two bookshelf in the office! Enjoy! Reading Area Crib with one rail taken off = big girl bed! From the doorway From the window toward the door Hand made rag quilt and handmade doll bring a special touch of love and homey! Bought this beautiful pillowcase on Etsy. It's held up well! handmade mobile/chandelier find tutorial here! The mobile hangs right above the bed giving Emma something beautiful to look at during quiet time when she's not ready to nap yet. Found a beautiful set of Beatrix Potter books at a flea market! Any set of nicely bound books make a great decoration!  This shelf of goodies are special too. 1) check out the field guide picture on my Etsy shop 2) read this post about handmade...

I've wanted for some time now to write a mission statement. I wasn't sure if it was for me, my family, my children or just who, but I knew I wanted one. I wanted something to guide me (like a condensed version of the Bible). Just a few words or phrases I could use to keep me focused. But It's not a simple task summing up the Bible, or gathering your life philosophy together and so it never happened. And the reason it never happened is because I was always looking to philosophers and worldly wisdom to put together this commitment. And thankfully I was never satisfied with what I found.  Then I read this straight from the heart of Amy Carmichael - A women very near to the heart of God. My Vow. Whatsoever Thou sayest unto me, by Thy grace I will do it.  My Constraint.  Thy love, O Christ, my Lord. My Confidence.  Thou are able to keep that which I have committed unto Thee. My Joy. To do Thy will, O God. My Discipline. That which I would not choose, b...

I get to have two Thanksgiving's this year! One two weeks early and one on Thanksgiving. My mom and cousin and I had a blast finding free and frugal ways to make a beautiful and stylish Thanksgiving table. First off we have these super cheap place cards: 1) I cut rectangles out of thick card stock.  2) I chose 4 crayon colors ( gold, turquoise blue, brown, and orange) and just filled in the white. 3) Fold it in half 4) Use a Sharpie and write each person's name. 5) Find small leaves in your yard (these are from my  mom's pear tree) and hot glue them on.  Place settings and table clothes: A. Use a white tablecloth (or in our case old curtains) and colorful dishes B. Use a colorfull tablecloth and plain dishes in white, cream or some neutral.  1)We used a variety of four plate colors and a simple white tablecloth.  2) Plain paper napkins with two corners folded in 3) taper candle laid across napkin and plate 4) na...

I have so much to say, because I've been gone for so long! I'm writing multiple posts today and constantly reminding myself that they can't all go up today.  Today I have to share a few more farm photos and of course my little shadow helper! And I also want to share some words - It's not a story and it's not a poem...an essay?  I called "A Thanksgiving Thought" and it's just that...my thoughts on our society at Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is a day forgotten because it lacks abundant revenue.  There is no room for myself to be gloried in or exalted above you,  In fact, at Thanksgiving one must pain themselves to think of something kind and unselfish to say toward someone whom they argued with yesterday.  The pilgrims - if still suffering today - would continue so,  because Thanksgiving isn’t about others.  Thanksgiving is about the cruciality of having every dish of tradition gracing the table.  It is about watchi...