Inspiration can come. Healing can come. Grace can come.
Today it came late, but sweetly when while glancing through back issues of my favorite magazines, I found the following quote:
“Be not a slave of your own past – plunge into the sublime seas. Dive deep, and swim far, so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, with an advanced experience, that shall explain and overlook the old.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
I needed that thought today.
I remember the first time I ever saw an episode of Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic. I felt as if someone had suddenly swept away all the cobwebs in my brain, and I could remember who I was and what I liked. Fireworks went off in my brain, everything wood in my house got a white paint treatment and nothing has been the same since.
Another year or 2 down the line I found Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion magazine and again – FIREWORKS!! The colors, the ideas, the people…. I couldn’t (and still can’t) get enough of it. All these pictures are from some of my favorite issues of Home Companion.
Then last year I found Alicia, Her Royal Poseyness and the whole community of creative bloggers opened up to me. I felt as if suddenly the final piece to the puzzle had been found, and I had found my niche in the world. The rest is just history in the making now…
These sorts of things might not mean much to everyone, but moment’s like these keep me going. Moments like these are the tangible expression of Grace and Hope in my life. Moments when I realize I am not alone in such simple things as a love for old fabrics, cracked china and beat-up furniture.
These sorts of things might not mean much to everyone, but moment’s like these keep me going. Moments like these are the tangible expression of Grace and Hope in my life. Moments when I realize I am not alone in such simple things as a love for old fabrics, cracked china and beat-up furniture. There are other areas of my life that can still feel fuzzy and full of cobwebs. Areas that aren’t so simple. Areas where I still don’t always feel connected in or accepted in. Places where I think people are looking at me with their heads cocked to one side as if to say “huh?” But in the world of Rachel, Mary, Alicia (and you dear reader,) I am not odd or different or lost. I am welcome and home. And for that I am so very grateful and inspired.
Hello, I discovered your blog tonight, through the twisting and turning of blog surfing, while my 7 month old refused to sleep. Currently leaving my comment at 3:45 in the morning central time. I have had plenty of time to see all the pretty pics of your home. I love! your christmas decor on the mantle. Is that tulle? I looks too wide be ribbon, it is beautiful and so inviting. I also love your advent wreath, candles, and plate(target?). Also, this time last year while I had pregnancy insomnia, I discovered the wonderful world of creative blogs-I must say I understand the excitement of that discovery. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
WOW, Jerusalem!! Great post!!I’m going to save that quote. It fits so well, with my life!PatBack Porch Musings
What an inspiring post! Love that quote and all the pictures!!
aww… well, for someone who is relatively homeless (I mean, I have somewhere to <>live<>, but its not a <>home<>), your blog brings inspiration and beauty during my meantime. Thanx chick!
well said!
lovely lovely photos! Very inspiring.
I understand completely what you mean. I think how wonderful it would be to have a friend or neighbor like you. Someone who gets me and doesn’t refer to me as “Martha” like it is a disease! I love your inspiration pics in this post and will save them all.