I've been reading a book on hospitality. It's actually a Bible study I did several years ago. In the introduction it say, "A Christian home is a miracle to be shared. If believers would return to the practice of hospitality, as commanded and modeled in the Scriptures, this world would not be the same." I've also been reminded that hospitality begins with those we are with every day. We have many opportunities here to entertain-in fact, have already hosted guests twice and are so looking forward to the rehearsal dinner next week. I want our home to be beautiful and welcoming for those guests but just as much, I want my family to feel welcomed and loved when they come home. Hospitality doesn't have to mean beautifully decorated. It is the mood of the home that makes one feel welcome, of course. But, like most women, I desire to have a home that is a reflection of the things we love and tastefully decorated. I have found Pinterest to be both an encouragement and a possible discourager when it comes to beautifying my home. I have gotten several great ideas from there (see pics below) but in reality, I cannot do every project I pin, and my house is never as clean and perfect as those I see online. I need to remember two things: my biggest desire in decorating my home is to please the people who live here, and second, most likely those staged photos do not reflect the owner's home on a daily, real-life basis. At least not if they live there.
This is the 15th house we've lived in since we joined the Army 23 1/2 years ago. That's a lot of moving. A lot of adjusting, and a lot of making home. One way to feel at home in a new place is to make the house feel like home fast. That means using the same stuff in the same ways in some cases. And the creative side of me enjoys the opportunity to change things up a bit. Finding the balance is the key. And part of the fun. :)
 |
| this was a dresser we bought for Nick at Goodwill in MD. Lots of potential, but in need of some TLC. |
 |
| We refinished dresser shortly before we moved. |
 |
| The dresser in his room here. It looks sophisticated and works just right in his grown-up space. |
 |
| The swan and the star both came from one of my favorite places, Occoquan, VA. They swan was in my bay window and the star over our front door in MD, but they've found a home together above the piano in our front room. |
 |
| I bought this shelf from IKEA in Germany. It was green. I loved the shelf but it didn't work here. Pulled off the cheapo backing and replaced it with plywood, which I stained a dark walnut. Then sanded, painted, distressed a bit and rubbed stain over the distressed parts, followed by a coat of wax. A completely new look for this homey shelf. |
 |
| This was what our entry looked like the week after we moved in. Most people in these same homes put a small foyer table and a picture or mirror above it. But I was Pinterest-inspired to do something different. |
 |
| Our entry now. I LOVE it. And I love it in the evenings when Dave is home and his cover is hanging there. :) |
Proverbs 31:27-30
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
