Surround Yourself With Beauty

I have a theory! Well, anyone who knows me will tell you I always have a theory about something or other. Anyway, the theory is this: If the world was surrounded by beauty (earthly and spiritual) we would act better, be calmer, even, treat each other with more kindness. Kind of like music having charms to soothe the savage beast.

A painting by Kathryn Winter, my mother-in-law.

What if every child walked into a clean, kept yard, then proceeded into a tidy house filled with objects of beauty. Now being a Christian I can't leave out the Holy Spirit, for He is a spirit of beauty and peace. If we fill our homes with God's spirit, and have objects of beauty that's got to have some effect right?

Waiting for my alyssum to grow in around my rocks
 

If I was in a beauty contest (yeah,right!) and they asked me the age old question, "If God granted you one wish what would it be?". I would answer, "A beautiful home for every child, filled with love and laughter, and the spirit of God.

My dianthus are starting to grow around the rocks

You notice I didn't say what size, or mention expensive at all because that is just not important.

I hope you all have sanctuaries. Here's the definition of a sanctuary:

sanc.tu.ar.y

noun

1. a place of refuge or safety.

sentence: "people automatically sought a sanctuary in time of trouble"

 

My geese from England on an Irish Chain quilt I made
 

I hope you all had glorious Easter celebrations. Isn't it wonderful to know our Saviour is risen, and is with us, not in some old musty tomb!

 

What if we all prepare our homes like Jesus is preparing a place for us? A thing of beauty I think!

 

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I  am, there ye may be also. John 14:3

 

Have a wonderful week, and say a little prayer for our country, I think she needs it about now.

 

Blessings, Theresa

 

 

 

 

Finding Grace, Trying Craft Fair

I have been so busy these past months getting ready for a Craft Fair in May at my cousin Sweetpea's church. I have a few pics to share with you. I am overjoyed that I can still craft after all these years of collecting supplies and never using them, lol. 

Dishcloths, and Trivets, and Hankie Folios, and Notepads, and Potholders and a Crocheted Marketbag, Oh My!

Mobley is evolving into a comfortable home for my husband and I. The finances are sparse, but the willingness to use what we have is there. God is teaching us so much!


Mary Englebreit Said It Right! It's Good To Be Queen!

God is amazing. His ideas are limitless, His love immense. We saved just the right pieces, and they enhance our home and yard. We still have much work to do on the interior, but cozy and comfortable seem to be our watchwords!


My Dear Mother's Hutch Comes Alive In Mobley's Living Room

Here are some more pictures of my craft fair goodies. I am so happy to be using my hands to craft and my head to create, lol....



We are meeting so many nice people in our little "senior" community. Our lovely neighbors gave us a pink geranium and some fescue sod they had left over from their landscape projects. As I look out my kitchen window at their yard I feel as if I am at the beach in Morro Bay, California. Roses and geraniums abound. Lavender and citrus trees, and a little gravel path ending in a wood landing with rustic wooden steps. I call it my beach path.  They have a lovely fountain on their patio that makes me hunger for the day that ours is ready and working. 

I have so many surprises to share in the coming weeks. I am alive with anticipation. Here's a little picture of my coffee table. It's really not for Easter, as I have my Country Rose's Bunnies out all year long. My husband loves the bunnies, too, but don't tell him I let his secret out.

I hope your day is filled with God's love and warmth. Say a little prayer for our country today if you would.

Wishing you blessings, Theresa





Tennis In The Park Anyone?

Okay, this is just too interesting to me. Mobley is located in a 55+ park mobile estate that has an interesting history. Built in the 1970's on the outskirts of town, it is where the oil executives parked, lol, their elderly parents. The best mobiles, the best clubhouse, spacious yards, and close proximity to the upscale neighborhood of the oil folks.

If you were alive in the 70's you know tennis was hugely popular. Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors, teen heart throbs, engaged, not engaged. Wimbledon, the French Open, and Flushing Meadow, tennis at its finest.  Well, this place had regulation size tennis courts, and the streets are named after tennis terms. Love Lane, Set Lane, and then there's Vilas Lane.

Do you remember Guillermo Vilas, the Venezuelan tennis star, with his long flowing locks and left handed swing? Well, he has the distinction of being the only tennis star with a street in the park  named after him. I think someone had a crush, just sayin........

The Young Bull of the Pampas ~ Guillermo Vilas

There is a club house beside the tennis courts, and it's been rumored that some of the Hollywood set used to play on the courts and have drinks in the lounge. How amazing is that! Oil folks knew folks!

The tennis courts cost way too much to maintain, so they're slated to be replaced with you guessed it, more homes. The clubhouse is now an exercise center and recreation room. But the stuff that dreams are made of is still here.

Though its heyday is past, this is still the nicest park in town. It's still on the outskirts of town and has the nicest amenities, and the nicest people.

The curious part is younger folks are moving in. The under 60 crowd wants to downsize, and live debt free at retirement. The pendulum has swung, and keeping up with the Joneses might just involve a vegetable garden and renovated mobile home. All hail Joneses wherever you are!

I hope I can help Mobley be a star. When I'm through perhaps, it'll be a matter of Game, Set, and Match! She's already a star in my eyes.

Blessings, Theresa