behind closed doors

Alas, I give you the last of my 3-part series through our newly constructed Master Bedroom Suite. Thank you for dropping in for the first chat of 2012!

door #1 

Our closet. Or I like to call it our dressing room. One dream I had was to eliminate all dressers, forever.



Hubster's side. Could I not have found a better front shirt for this photo shoot? Chirp - real life. And how did the pink hanger make its way into my all white hanger hang-out?



Old science lab drawers repurposed. Way to go honey!




Moving around to my side.






Old Faithful



door #2

Size is not recommended for ironing sheets (smile) or tablecloths . . .  Lovin' it!

door #3

This little green door could be titled the "Door of Adjustment."

After ten wonderful years in my mission office job, at my own choosing, I am out of work. Or away from work. I have entered a new season of life. At the age of 53, I find myself in the solitude of my home for really the first time. Prior to my office work I was a full-time stay-at-home mom with three children. (Prior to that I was a skinny college girl who could eat unlimited amounts of M & M's and pizza!)

This new season, it takes some adjusting.

definition: to put in order, to settle or bring to a satisfactory state

I have a new door in my life and I'm not sure what is behind it. I've found that often the hardest part of moving to the next room is turning the handle and stepping forward. I'm also pretty sure if we don't use the doors that are given to us - both opened and closed - we will remain in the same room, moving around in the same space and place. 

Perhaps you have a new door of opportunity or adjustment in your life too. 

Smack dab in the middle of the word adjusting is just. As in:

Just go with it.

Just in time.

Just sayin'.

I don't know who Al Davis is but this quote belongs to him. "You don't adjust. You just dominate."

How's that for some New Years optimism? Sparrow smiles.

There is better encouragement with life-giving significance found in Psalm 32:10. "The Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him."

I'm willing to share that optimism with you. With the Lord's help, we step out confidently into 2012.

I hear a door creaking open. How about you?

margi

I try to reply to every email: monkjo@live.com

View in blue and pink and orange

As promised . . . some photos of our recently finished master suite. If you look hard enough, you will find some blue accents mixed in!

view from doorway

How'd he sneak in?

his + hers = ours

blue

Part III view, next blog:  "What is behind these two doors?"

enter pink and orange




'tis the season to replace pinks and purples (oh how I will miss those blooms) with

mr. blue jeans

 lovely view over yonder

A new season

I hope this season finds you . . . . . . satisfied. Yup. That's a good word.

Chasing fun and fashion. Running after prize and possession. Seeking praise and popularity. All are fleeting. And none will deliver true satisfaction.

These words are lifted from 107 chapter of the Psalms:
      "For He satisfies the longing soul."

Bloggy friend, I pray that you know the One who satisfies, Jesus Christ.

If you ever want to chat about your relationship with God, or pumpkins and blue accents, my email is always open as is my front door! (monkjo@live.com) 

This is me, a little frizzy but enjoying the changing colors. This is me, the sorta brown sparrow, finding my delight and passion in pointing others to the Source of Life and Satisfaction. 

Thanks for poppin' in,
margi

View in Blue

It is Labor Day afternoon. I have called off laboring for the rest of it. I hope you were able to prop your feet up and take a break too.

this morning's project

I have kicked around this garage sale find for a number of years. I was just about ready to pass it along to Goodwill.

Enter. wildflower blue.

And voila . . . finished project six hours later gracing my Gathering Room table. Perfect. Do you have a piece that is wicker or metal or wood that you are holding on to but don't just love? Go for it. (Paint from Walmart.)

it doesn't have to be perfect

(Funny, I just said that to Danae this morning as we were scurrying around getting ready for lunch company.)

Another garage sale find this summer (sorry I forgot to get the before pic). I chose the $4 chair because it was light weight and simple in design. The fabric on the seat was a stained beige.

Enter coworker and friend Donna who graciously shared some of her upholstery material. It was my first job of re-covering. I was happy with how it turned out. But it is not perfect. #1 - puckered corners. #2 - after studying it, I realized I put the material on upside down.

Donna gave me plenty of material to use and I could have easily taken it off and started over. I decided to leave it as is.

The chair sits beautifully in the empty corner of my office at work. A chair that reminds me that life doesn't have to be perfect to be enjoyed. And light bulb moment, I don't have to try to be perfect either. Whew!

and while i'm here

The view from my office desk. The Lord has given me a great place to work at Baptist Church Planters.

And because I need the reminder, this is posted above my doorway. . .

(View in blue to be continued next blog: master bedroom suite is FINISHED!)

To all my bloggy friends, may you bring beauty to those you love and where you live. Even puckered, upside down, less-than-perfect kind of beauty. Not the kind of beauty found in the lipstick tube - but the beauty of shared warm brownies baked in love from your kitchen, or the sweet homemade touches in your home, or your gentle spirit of serving, or a caring touch to someone who aches, or a kind word softly spoken. 

Break's up. Time to practice what I preach. Tomorrow our Gathering Room welcomes back my Bible study ladies. Lemon Blueberry Bread up next.

Sweet September!

margi

monkjo@live.com

Silence is Golden

My blog may have been silent. Life has not.

Hiya! It's time for a momentary break. I invite you to pull up a perch and enjoy a quiet moment with me. (If you have your volume turned up on your computer you might catch some soft melodic strains.)

quietude

 After three tries it is the paint color we chose for our new bedroom suite. And it does live up to its name. I debated about putting the picture up since it didn't really photograph well. It is not a bit "minty" in color as it shows. The color doesn't shout, it whispers "I'm a soft place to land." We are getting anxious to land soon!

skinny cow

Every evening it shows up! Seriously yummilicious! 100 calories of pure chocolate pleasure! My husband sees me heading to the freezer each night for "the box." He has taken to calling me skinny. Not a wonder I'm in love with it:-)

flag waving

Our Inn has enjoyed a variety of company. And I enjoyed adding some patriotic touches to welcome our guests.



garage sale find

 nutrition in a pan

 yes, still trying

calm waters

Annually our family packs up and heads to Camp Patmos on Kelley's Island for a week. I figure that in my 53 years, I've landed on that island 38 summers. It is our "home away from home." Refreshment for the soul. A place to soak up the presence of God. Because life is not always calm, or always happy.

patmos view

If we stay trusting in the Lord, the Songbook (Psalm 125:1 to be exact) says we are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken. The mountain stands - in all kinds of weather, through all the seasons - yet remains unshaken.

Fixed. Firm. Stable. My faith has been tested in recent weeks. Perhaps yours has been too. Trusting yields restfulness. There is room on the mountain for you! I'll scooch over. I welcome your company.

Wishing you calm waters, steadfast hearts, and sweet summer desserts!

margi

monkjo@live.com