Thank you so much for all the sweet comments about our back porch makeover, you truly overwhelm me with your kind and loving words.
Making a little time this month to work on the farmhouse was truly a joy for us. Our daily life is a blend of hectic schedules and crazy chaos to the point that finding some sort of balance has been an elusive thing.
I pour so much of myself into displays at the Shoppe and a gazillion other business tasks that, at times, it leaves very little to give to our own home.
So, this project was not only rewarding to complete, but the finished result has given us a space where we can relax and "just be" when we come home.
It's nice to have a visually peaceful place to go when so much of the inside of the house is a rough "work in progress", as it will remain for many months to come.
At times, walking through the unfinished rooms is stressful and I wonder if we will ever get things completed.
Then to add even more stress, my next thought is to quickly place myself on some crazy self-inflicted timeline to get everything done.
Why do I do that?
When you get down to it, although the completion of a project is nice, the process during the project and the things we learn from the experience are the real jewels.
Balance in our lives can be hard to achieve, but it's vitally important. I found it strange that a home improvement project like this one could be a vehicle to restore some perspective. But oddly, that is indeed what the creation of this space did for us.
After spending many evenings outside eating dinner, curled up on the porch swing reading a book, or just talking about life, we realized how long it had been since we had made time to just "relax".
Isn't that crazy?
Creating a "space" dedicated to relaxation made a big difference for us. This was a life lesson for me. I realized it's not just the old house that I love, but a longing for the "old days" that I seek.
For me personally, this equates to restoring Sunday to a day of rest and worship, eating more home cooked meals, and spending a little time each week just "being still".
And to "be still"
-
-
-
without guilt.
-
-
without guilt.
HE speaks to me in the gentlest of ways.
Have a wonderful week my friends. :-))
While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.
18 comments:
Glad you are finding ways to enjoy the fruits of your labor and beautiful talents...
♥Linsey
Lovely comments and insight! Good lessons learned, dear friend!
I always tell my friends, don't be in a hurry to get your house exactly like you want it! Just having a home and slowly changing it to how you want it is such a blessing! To me, that's the fun part of having a house - working on it!!
Love you lots!
Mary S.
Your porch looks beautiful - so relaxing! I'm glad that it's given you a place to unwind and rejuvenate! We all need that in our busy lives! Hugs, Leena
It really is beautiful. I am so into 'jest being'. thanks for sharing. Cheers SpecialK XoXo
I love your porch and that light is awesome! Beautiful place LaurieAnna!
Susan
Homeroad
Love your porch!! The pictures are lovely!! I need to do more than read your words, need to put them into action! Thanks for sharing!
I love to stop by your beautiful Farmhouse and see what you are up to. I love your style and one day I will walk through the doors of your beautiful shop!!
Your porch wowed the socks off of me and sent me alway dreaming of what plans that are next for the Shabby old house. There is just something special about having a place to sit and swing and stop to rest and take in the surrounding beauty and you have certainly achieved that space. See you in a magazine my friend because that certainly is a space that should on the pages of one. Blessings ....Becky
What a lovely, peaceful spot you made to be still! Enjoy!
Such a beautiful place!
Beautiful garden - it's lovely!
Well, as long as you are cooking and have enough chairs...I might just have to come over and take advantage of this new attitude!
Denis
Is this your primary home? I was thinking you lived somewhere else and this was a weekend place. I love it. I would have loved an older home but I didn't have that option. Your outside area is so inviting. I can't dine outside now as the flies and mosquitoes are horrific now. We recently closed in our front porch so I do have that outside area. We use our backyard deck in the winter w/our chiminea. Your hard work has paid off. I wish you weren't so far from me as I'd love to come shop.
LaurieAnna: This was a very beautiful post. Your thoughtful words are so true. Your porch certainly is a relaxing place to just be. Everyone needs a place like that. I'm working on it. When we were restoring we really had to push ourselves to just concentrate on one room at a time, then it doesn't all feel so overwhelming. It was hard to do at first, but we managed to stick to it and it was surprising how much easier it was. Here's to a Happy Tuesday and more time on the porch..Judy
Hey Laurie, this is a beautiful post. We have both talked about needed balance in our lives, sounds like your finding yours. I'm still working on getting there. See ya soon!!!
Hugs~~~ Daphne
What a completely lovely post. We are in the beginnings of building a deck onto the back of our home and I can hardly wait. I'm dreaming of long lazy afternoons sipping lemonade and watching whatever wildlife stops by for a visit. You have made a wonderful haven for your family and that is such a gift!
Just beautiful and I couldn't agree with you more..My husband and I have been doing Sundays like this for a number of years (since becoming empty nesters I must confess)..His job is very stressful and he has even noticed how relaxed he is on Monday to start his week..I am new to your blog and love it..Have a wonderful week..
Oh my your porch is just stunning
This is the best post you have ever made. Everything else has been lovely, but this one is the very heart of life!!
Blessings to you,
J
Post a Comment