Hello Cottage Friends, Many of you may know Cheryl Smith of the blog Homespun Devotions. She is a woman of God who shares from her heart, sometimes stepping out of her own comfort zone to write, from a Christian worldview, about matters that affect our culture. I have followed her blog for years, and find her well-written posts to be thoughtful, as well as oftentimes thought-provoking. Cheryl has just published her book "Biblical Minimalism", of which I am a happy recipient.
God bless America, land that I love Stand beside her and guide her Through the night with the light from above
From the mountains to the prairies To the oceans white with foam God bless America, my home sweet home
God bless America, land that I love Stand beside her and guide her Through the night with the light from above
From the mountains to the prairies To the oceans white with foam God bless America, my home sweet home
From the mountains to the prairies To the oceans white with foam God bless America, my home sweet home God bless America, my home sweet home.
Written by Irving Berlin, an immigrant who arrived in New York at age 5 as Israel Baline, the son of a cantor fleeing persecution of the Jews of Russia. He wrote the song during WWI.
I consider myself a patriot. I love my country and pray for her often. Today I celebrate America's Independence Day and feel deep gratitude in my heart for all those who have died to secure her freedom.
Hello Cottage Friends, My oh my! June is nearly over and here am I in my new-to-me home with a plethora of things left undone. I'm recalling how much more challenging it is to get settled when working a full-time job, not to mention being single. Having that other person on hand to help with tasks makes a big difference. This was my experience as a widow, too. However, I'm not stressing over it. In fact, quite the opposite. I'm enjoying every moment; gratefully thanking God that I'm here, I'm well, and I'm happy. I wouldn't change a thing. Having said all that, let me share with you my happy place. . .
Oh, how I love this little patio. Every moment I spend here is pure joy. Little by little I'm creating the space I envision. I'm not there yet. Not by a long shot. But I've made progress. This is how it looked when I first viewed the home.
And here's the blank slate, more or less. The terrific terra cotta pot and stand was left by the previous owners, along with the sad little fern to the right. The other flowers were some of the first I purchased.
My realtor said the sellers were in a big hurry to leave and ran out of room in their moving van. So, I'm the happy recipient of this planter.
To which I've added begonias.
So, come with me and I'll share a few more details. Because, after all, I did ask you if you wanted to join me on this journey. ;-) First, let's start with the wicker chairs. Oh, you know how much I love a bargain, don't you? I found the chairs at Habitat for Humanity's Restore. It's on my way home from work, so I stopped in one day to check it out. It's by far the best Restore I've ever shopped. Anyway, I saw the chairs on their patio in this condition.
Pretty sad, right? However, even though the wicker was tired and a bit unraveled in places, I could imagine the chairs reloved and given a home in Nancy's Happy Place. The price was right. . .$7.50 for the two (they were priced at $5/each, but the nice young man who helped me offered to give them to me for $7.50 total. I think he felt sorry for me, that I would actually give them money for those tacky things.) Two or three cans of spray paint would give them new life and for less than $40 I'd have two charming wicker chairs that even if they only lasted one season would still be a bargain. I'm really happy with the way they turned out.
The poor lighting gives the impression that the color is uneven in places, but it's not. I found the cushions on clearance at Pier 1 (I'm so sad Pier 1 is closing forever), priced $12.99 for the two. They're so cheery and fun. If I tire of the polka dots I can always make slip covers for the cushions. I purchased a second set for spares because they were such a great price. The patio is shaded by a big tree most of the day, so I pretty much have to stick to flowers that do well in little or no sun, such as Impatiens. I picked up the black wrought iron plant stand at a thrift store for $6.99.
I also found this vintage plant stand last night for $15 at an antique and vintage mall that I love.
There were so many cottagey and shabby chic things there that I wanted to bring home with me. Alas, they'll have to wait for another day and another paycheck. One thing you'll notice about my outdoor space is that it's very informal. This isn't a matchy-matchy sort of patio, and it's not about having everything "just so". I'm choosing furniture, flowers and accessories that speak to me. That perhaps have a story of their own to tell. I like the hunt and the capture when I find that one item that would work so well in the corner, or fill in that bare spot. I like rescuing plants and flowers that would make someone else turn up her nose. Like this little Clematis. . .
I found it on the Lowe's clearance rack for $5. It had a lot of dead vines on it, but it also had new green shoots. So, home it came with me and it's showing me its appreciation. It has grown about 5 inches. I need to get it repotted this weekend, and then see how it does with limited sun. It may end up outside the patio wall where it can get more sunlight. Although it is growing, I'm just not sure it will bloom inside the patio. But that's the fun of gardening, right? It's an adventure! What works? What doesn't work? Another challenge I'm dealing with is where to grow my lavender. I have to have lavender. It's just about my favorite thing to grow. I inherited two French Lavender plants from the former owners. They were on the north side of the house and looking kind of sad. So I moved them to the patio and they're doing much better. There is some afternoon sun where they are standing right now. I think I see some new buds, so hopefully they will bloom again.
I purchased three small pots of English Lavender and planted them in this terra cotta pot. It's hard to tell in the photo, but there are some flower buds appearing. My plan is to move all the lavender indoors for overwintering. I've been reading up on container lavender and it's said they will survive indoors, and even thrive in the right conditions.
There's a little story behind this terra cotta pot. While at Lowes, buying the Clematis, I spied this pot that I thought would work well for my lavender. Well, it had a big chip out of the rim, and a hairline crack along the side. So I did what any frugal, thrifty buyer would do. I asked if they would give me a 50% discount. And they did. I was pretty sure Gorilla Glue would satisfy the crack, and I could turn the pot so no one would ever see the chip or the repaired crack. And that's what I did. Again, it fits my "imperfect" view of my outdoor space. "Wabi-sabi." Embrace imperfection. So, remember in my last post I mentioned the possibility of adding pea gravel between the flagstone pavers? Well, that was before Su of Butterfly Bungalow blog suggested I plant herbs between the pavers. Now why didn't I think of that? (Hand slap to forehead.) At one of the local nurseries I talked to a very knowledgeable woman about what would work best, and she suggested Scotch Moss. It's prolific here in Colorado, and it holds up well to foot traffic. Perfect!
I've started a few plants and will see how it does. It will grow in sun or shade, and doesn't require much water. Sounds good to me. Oh, and it supposedly does bloom with tiny white flowers in summer. There are so many other things I want to do to make Nancy's Happy Place truly happy. For example, this ugly corrugated metal wall needs some camouflage.
I pinned this photo from BHG. A lattice screen would add so much character to that wall, and make a great backdrop for interesting decor, whether it be old garden tools such as used here, or some other interesting items. Hmmm, my mind is racing. Is yours racing, too?
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11
Hi Cottage Friends, Thanks for all your encouraging comments about my plans to purchase a mobile home. I have to say it's a lot more fun going through this process when I have friends like you to cheer me on. What wonderful people you all are! So, the title of my post today introduces the subject at hand. You'll remember in my last post I told you there were some maintenance issues to work out before the deal was closed. The biggest problem was the roof. My home inspector told me there was quite a bit of damage, probably from hail, and he would recommend the roof be replaced. The seller had already discounted the home considerably, so there was no wiggle room for him to replace at his cost. However, since the damage appeared to be caused by hail, his home insurance would most likely cover it, after the $500 deductible. I was willing to pay the deductible to get a new roof. Because, as you probably know, the foundation and the roof are the two most important features of a home. Well, the insurance company dragged their feet, we extended the contract a week to give them more time, but after a week they wanted more time to get an insurance adjuster out to the site, and I started to feel funny about the whole thing. If I gave them another week, who's to say they wouldn't still need more time. I just started to feel like this home was going to be more trouble than it was worth, so I terminated the contract. My realtor was about to list a newer mobile home in a nearby 55+ park for about the same price. I was intrigued, so he set up an appointment for the next day, and after I saw it I knew God had a whole other plan for me. I mean, this home is so much better in every way than the other one was. And it had a brand new roof and skylights -- just completed the day before. So, I made an offer on this sweet place.
The owners had some cosmetic changes they wanted to make to the interior, but I suggested they forego them so that I could do the work myself in my own style in exchange for a lower selling price. They were happy to oblige, so I ended up getting this home for the same price as the other one. And, the really good news is that the home appraised well. It's so easy when things aren't going right to question what God is up to. Especially when we've already invested money along the way (home inspection fee, application for the park fee) -- it starts to add up and we wonder why God would allow us to go that far if He really cares about us. But, that's the wrong way to look at it. God is always at work, moving the pieces, getting things lined up. And it's not just about me. There's a seller involved, a realtor, a loan officer, an inspector, and on and on. He's concerned about each one of those individuals, as much as He is about me. So, I don't question His wisdom, nor do I question spending money to get to where I am today. I'm saving money on the lot rent on this second home, on repairs I would have had to make on the other home, not to mention the amount of time it would take to bring the other home up to the standards of this one. Truly, God is wise. And God is good. All. the. time. Today I spent a little time looking at photos of the cottage in Oregon. It's a darling place, and I'm satisfied with the work I put into it. I could look back with regret at having left it, but here's the thing: it's only a house. Really. It's just a house. I believe strongly that life is so much more than material things, and that possessions don't bring happiness. What matters is relationships. The number one relationship in my life is Jesus Christ. I would not be where I am today if not for His sacrifice. I was a mess before He rescued me. That was way back in 1973, and a lot has happened since then. Some good things. Some not so good things. No matter, though, because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He never changes. Circumstances change, but He never changes. That's why I have confidence that as I continue this journey -- this life changing journey -- He will not let me fail. I may stumble, I may even fall. But He will not let me stay down. He will always lift me up. He will always see me through. I know this from the Bible, and I know this experientially. Many of you have told me you're praying for me. I can't tell you what that means to me. Prayer is powerful when we're praying to the One who holds everything together. He hears us, He responds to us. He is infinitely interested in each one of us, and He never gets bored with us. Isn't that amazing? I think it is. To think that our Creator is excited to spend time with us? Wow! Thank you, Lord! My closing date is next Friday, June 5, and I take possession on June 10. Then the fun begins. I've been pinning ideas for updates I want to make on the home. It's pretty dated -- think 90's Hollywood lights in the bathrooms, mauve and blue countertops in the kitchen (and baths). Thankfully, it has descent wood cabinets throughout, and they can be painted. I know how to do that. And countertops? Well, there's a plethora of things that can be done to them, from painting them -- to full replacement.
I'm happy that most of the VOG walls have been redone.
The VOG still remains in the kitchen and bathrooms. So, one of the first things I'll do is remove the battens, smooth them over with drywall compound, and paint over the oh-so-lovely vinyl wall covering.
The oh-so-lovely VOG in the kitchen.
There's a charming little enclosed patio just off the entrance that I can't wait to get my hands on.
The paving needs some work, but picture this with loads of flowers in containers, and some climbing roses or other flowers.
I think just adding pea gravel to the existing pavers would do the trick. Look at the patio "floor" in this photo. It's basically the same pavers as the ones in my home with pea gravel added.
So, what do you say? Want to join me on this adventure? We'll stop for breaks along the way, drink some iced tea or lemonade, and soak up some Colorado sunshine. It'll be fun. Hugs,
Isn't she cute? Hazel's the newest addition to my son's family, and she's brought a lot of joy into this home.
When she's not rough housing with the other two dogs, or playing footsie, she likes to sleep.
And she's not very discriminating as to where she gets here zzz's. We were playing outside, when she suddenly dropped on the step and conked out.
She loves to snuggle, and sometimes Hazel crawls into a stray throw and dreams of chasing squirrels.
As my son put it the night he came home to find a new puppy had appeared, "At this time with the stay at home restrictions, the kids need something to look forward to." They do, indeed. And every day this little charmer brings a smile to their faces, as well as to the rest of us. She's a blessing.
I'm going to miss her when I finally get into my own place. I'm several steps closer to that happening, as I'm now in contract on a manufactured home in a 55+ park. We've got some maintenance details to work out, so it's still not a done deal. However, I'll give you a little peek at my, hopefully, new cottage.
I have a new full-time job with a major retailer, which I'm really enjoying. I work in online order fulfillment, and log between 7 and 10 miles a day walking the aisles and filling baskets. It's just what I wanted. A job that keeps me moving, lifting, and physically fit. Yesterday I had a doctor visit to remove some stitches from a lesion I had removed from my arm and my blood pressure was 114/72. Not bad for a senior citizen, right?
Seriously, I'm so grateful to God for my good health. I'm grateful, too, for His constant provision for everything I need. If all goes well with the home negotiations, I'll be moving into my new "cottage" the first week in June. I'm already visualizing my life there, and how I can create a peaceful and joyful cottage.
So, that pretty much brings you up to date on my life back in Colorado. Oh, I almost forgot! In our free time, my son and I have been visiting garden centers, and getting ideas for the flower beds around his home.
On one of our outings I spotted this rose, and oh! The scent was intoxicating. In a world of beautiful, but scentless roses, this treasure made my heart sing.
I took a photo of the tag for future reference. If there's any way I can plant one of these in my new abode, you can bet I'm going to do it.
It's been too cold to do any planting here, but we should be seeing some warmer days later this week, and then we can go dig in the dirt.
Hello Cottage Friends, As of yesterday, I've been here in Colorado three weeks. I'm sure all of you are as ready as I am to be done with this shelter in place. Sure it's nice to be with family, but it would be a whole lot nicer if we could get out and enjoy the outdoors. Easter Sunday a snow storm rolled in and it's been cold ever since. I think today it reached 50. Oh, this cold is going to take some getting used to again. I did like the warmer winter in Texas. When I left I was wearing sandals and a short sleeved shirt. Not now. Nope. We're not in Texas anymore, Toto. This was taken on Thursday, when we were visited by another snow storm. (sigh)
Okay, we got that out of the way. Now we can rejoice over the nice weather we enjoyed before the snow, and look forward to the coming week when it should warm up to the 60's. The snow is almost melted today. The week before Easter I spent a lot of time clearing the yard and flower beds of leaves and debris.
Temperatures were in the 70's, and we had lots of sunshine. My son was off work on Good Friday, so we got a lot done that day, and then on Saturday the whole family joined us for a work day. The big project for that day was clearing the slope below their patio of Virginia Creeper. This is how it looks now that we've finished ripping out tons of that stuff. I'm sorry I didn't take any "before" photos.(As you can see, my son is a serious griller.)
Don't get me wrong, Virginia Creeper is a beautiful trailing plant, especially in the autumn.
Photo by Mick Stephenson mixpix 16:18, 19 March 2007 (UTC) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1808428
But it's not something you want to plant around a patio railing, a deck or a porch, unless you don't mind the damage that it does to the wood. No, it's better to plant Virginia Creeper where it can have its own way. Because that plant is prolific. We worked a good part of the afternoon digging it up. Actually, we were surprised we got as much out as we did. One of the roots was so long that I held it up and my son took a photo. I called it my "Big Catch".
(Clearly I need to employ some upper arm toning exercises.) The backyard is large and holds a lot of promise. We've got some big plans for it, and even when I move out and into my own place, I've promised to help implement our vision. It'll be fun, and I will certainly take plenty of photos and take you along on the journey. Planting time is still a month away, so patience is required. The tulips had started to bloom before the cold front came in, so we covered them up with boxes and plastic containers. Most of them survived, I think.
I wish I could take better photos with my iphone. Does anyone have any suggestions? Maybe a certain camera app that you're familiar with that would improve the quality? I may have to bite the bullet and get myself a regular camera. I used to enjoy photography, but my camera died and I never replaced it. Now I'm stuck with photos I don't much care for. But I digress. During this past week when we were stuck inside the kids and I worked on getting the game shelves and the entertainment center cleaned and organized. I told them if they could finish the job without arguing about who was doing the most work, I'd bake brownies for them. They must have wanted them pretty badly, because they did a good job of controlling their squabbling.
One of the girls helped me with the brownies. We used this recipe from Love From The Oven: Easy Brownies Made with Cocoa Powder. We left out the optional walnuts, and chocolate chips. They were plenty chocolatey without the addition of chips. These flew out of the pan! Very moist and fudgey, and I would definitely use this recipe again. Well, I think I've pretty much covered everything new. I'm starting to check out job openings in the area. I will have to find work to be able to stay in Colorado. I'm not worried. Instead I trust in the Lord. This is a poem I came across this week that sums up how I feel about my current situation. . .
Thank you so much for the kind, loving and encouraging comments you left on my last post. They have blessed me and lifted my spirits, and I'm so grateful to each of you for reaching out to me with support. You all are very dear to me.
This week while reading through my older journal entries I came across one from August 2019. I'd like to share it with you on this Good Friday as a tribute to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that it will bless you as I honor Him.
August 5, 2019
Each day is an opportunity to grow closer to God. To bypass this earthly vessel with all its flaws and scars, and join with the Spirit in worship and praise of the Creator. It is a mystery how the Spirit of God lives within His beloved children. Those who have been "born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:13)
Why does man fight to have answers to all his questions about God? Why do we try to bring Almighty God down to our level of understanding?
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
The older I get the more satisfied I am with not having the answers to the mysteries of my faith. I don't need to understand everything that God does, all that He allows. It is enough for me to know that He is sovereign. That He will do what He will do, in His time, in His way. I can sing "It is well with my soul" because I fully trust in Him. I have seen His faithfulness in my life. I have experienced His unconditional love. Even when I was living in rebellion, He loved me. He never took His eyes off me. How can I question the goodness and love of my heavenly Father when He has always only been kind to me?
I stand in awe of the One who gave up everything to redeem me. To redeem all sinners from the pit of hell, if they will put their faith and trust in Him, in Jesus who died so that we might have life. And have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
The abundant life is not about money or fame. It's not about success and notoriety. The abundant life is the life we live in Christ. The marvelous truth that the One who conquered sin and death, who rose again to life on the third day, is living in us and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gives strength when we are weary, hope when all seems lost, love when we feel unlovable, joy when we are downcast. His love is eternal, His presence is forever, there is nothing that can separate us from Him, no power can overcome His love and goodness, His mercy and grace. Though the enemy would try to dissuade us from the truth that God loves us, that He has only the best for us, we know better. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8)
My life has meaning because God has chosen me. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:3-14)
I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
I am chosen.
I am holy and blameless before Him.
I've been adopted by my Father in love through Jesus Christ.
I am blessed in the Beloved.
I am redeemed through Christs' blood.
I've been forgiven of all my trespasses.
I am the recipient of His lavish grace.
I am united in Christ to the praise of His glory.
I am sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
My inheritance is guaranteed until I acquire possession of it, to the praise of HIS glory!
This is the truth of who I am! I am a child of God. The daughter of the King!
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31
Amen!
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died.
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.
See from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ere such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown.
O the wonderful cross
O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die
and find that I may truly live.
O the wonderful cross
O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near
And bless your name.
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
O the wonderful cross
O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die
And find that I may truly live.
O the wonderful cross
O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near
And bless Your name.
O the wonderful cross
O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die
And find that I may truly live.
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
O the wonderful cross
O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die
And find that I may truly live.
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2
(Editor's Note: Lyrics from The Wonderful Cross written by Chris Tomlin, J.D. Walt, Jesse Reeves (from the original hymn When I Survey The Wondrous Cross by Isaac Watts).
