At Home on Orange BlossomTrail

2018-01-08T20:58:00.001-08:00

Jesus Every Day: Prayers to Awaken Your Soul by Mary E. DeMuth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received this book during the holiday season, and honestly, I laid it aside. The holidays (Thanksgiving-Christmas) are difficult for me. I tend to be sad during these weeks that should be joyful. I lost 5 family members from Thanksgiving to Christmas just a handful of years ago and grief is such a tricky thing.

Having read Mary's past works, I knew this book would challenge me and stir me. And I didn't want to be challenged or stirred. I wanted to grieve in peace. Oh, my humanity! I made it through another holiday season and in putting the decorations away, I found this book that I'd promised to read and review. And I read the first 30 entries in one sitting. Oh that I could always remember that being challenged and stirred by His Word and grace is less painful than staying buried in my grief!

Mary writes with a clear voice-she writes as if she's simply sitting with you, sipping tea and talking to her best friend. Her words never fail to move me and this devotional is no exception. I'm weeping from reading Day 14 out loud to my husband.

A favorite thing about the book is that the entries aren't dated. You can start at any point in the year and be right on track.

I know this book will change lives-prayer lives will reach a new dimension as you pray these gripping words for yourself. Prepare to be challenged and changed!

View all my reviews

2017-12-29T12:32:00.002-08:00

I'm so excited for 2018! It's shaping up to be a year of books and book reviews! Reading is my favorite pastime and I couldn't be more in the mood to cozy up and read a good book with a mug of hot cocoa. It's WAY too cold in my part of the world!

What are you reading now and in the new year?

Stay tuned for my reading list!

Road Food Review

2017-06-05T18:50:00.001-07:00

If you love to travel and love to eat, you'll want to grab this Eater's Guide to over 1000 of the best spots to eat across America!

Road Food is easy to read and includes descriptions and addresses of some drool-worthy restaurants. As an Indiana native, the Hoosier state recommendations are spot on and included some of our local favorites.

Grab this food guide, gas up your car and hit the road. My stomach is growling now!

I received a copy of this book for my honest, personal review. All opinions are mine.

Grace and the Preacher

2017-05-24T19:00:00.001-07:00

First of all, I love this author! She's been a favorite of mine for several years...and the legacy continues with "Grace and the Preacher". It's a fun, fast read that had me very antsy! lol

I'm rarely surprised or caught off guard with plots in fiction books, but this story line got me! I LOVE that! Ha! I won't spoil it for anyone else, but this is definitely a fun read.

I recommend this book as a good, clean story. I received my copy from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Angel of Forest Hill

2016-12-27T17:00:00.002-08:00

I really loved this book! I won't rehash the story line, as you can read that on all the other reviews, but I loved the story line and loved the pace of the book. I started this and finished it in one night. A great Christmas book during a busy season was just what I needed.

I loved that the author didn't sugarcoat the Amish life. I've lived near Amish for decades and I can tell you that they don't live fairy-tale lives. Life is hard and full of hurts for the Amish, same as everyone else. They aren't perfect; and in this story, the mother-in-law's character was all too believable.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Amish fiction or who loves Cindy Woodsmall. It's a nice read!

Thank you to Blogging for Books for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Frayed at the Edge

2016-09-15T17:17:00.002-07:00

Fraying at the Edge is the much anticipated second book in The Amish of Summer Grove series. If you haven't read the first book in the series, Ties that Bind, I highly recommend it, as Fraying at the Edge is not a stand alone book.

We find Ariana and Skylar arriving to their "new" homes...after being switched at birth 20 years ago, they've found their lives uprooted. Ariana, who is firmly Amish; and Skylar, who is a drug addict, both find life as they've always known it spiraling in confusion and angst.

I'm a huge Cindy Woodsmall fan and I enjoyed this book, but I have to say that I found parts of it unbelievable. Ariana's Amish family let her go far too easily. The thought that Ariana's birth father would sue the Amish midwife just didn't come across as strong enough to me as the argument for Ariana's year-long leave.

Also, the author seemed to have forgotten that Ariana was Amish when she was writing the dialogue between Ari and Nicholas. Yes, Ari's theological arguments were there, but her Amish speech and speech patterns were not. She spoke like a seasoned "Englisher" which took away from the book for me.
I thought Skylar's character was well written. Her experiences seemed more true to life than Ari's.
Overall, it was a good book. Not what I anticipated in the sense that it didn't have an Amish feel to it, but I will look for book 3 to finish up the story line.

Fraying at the Edge by Cindy Woodsmall

Hope Unfolding...A review

2016-06-28T20:04:00.004-07:00

"Sweet" but lacking in true depth for an older mom...

I was expecting a lot from this book, I think...and I didn't get it. The positives- it's an easy read. The cover is beautiful. It's written from a Christian standpoint. I'd recommend it to a new mom. What were the negatives for me? The author sort of "floated around" in her chapters. I didn't feel the chapters were wholly cohesive. The book lacks depth. Yes, it's encouraging. Yes, it's nice to know I'm not the only tired mom out there who leaves dirty dishes in the sink. But, haven't we read this all before?

There are questions and prayers at the end of each chapter.

I think the book is good enough to pass along to a friend who's a new mom and I pray she is blessed by it.

I received a copy of the book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

When Love Returns by Kim Vogel Sawyer

2016-03-06T19:32:00.002-08:00

I'm a huge Kim Vogel Sawyer fan. I'm also a fan of book series in general because books tend to end sooner than I'd like. Lol

Generally, you can pick up a book in a series and jump right back into the story line. For me, I wasn't able to do that with this book. It's been several months since I've read books one and 2, so I read some refreshers. That still didn't prove to be too beneficial. I feel like I need to start over with the entire series to get the most from this book. I would not recommend it as a stand-alone book.

Because I enjoy Ms. Sawyer 's wiring style, I'm going to give it another go.

I loved this book (Sort of...Not Really)

2015-10-06T16:30:00.002-07:00

"I'm Happy for You (Sort Of...Not Really): Finding Contentment in a Culture of Comparison"

I really, truly wanted to love this book! It has a catchy title and the subject matter is fairly encompassing. I mean, who hasn't compared themselves to their best friend? Or even to a stranger on social media? But, before the end of the first chapter, I was exhausted.

"I'm Happy for You (Sort Of...Not Really): Finding Contentment in a Culture of Comparison" by Kay Wills Wyma is a book about comparison. We compare ourselves to our friends, our family, random people on the street. We envy others' homes, cars, lives, jobs, bodies...you name it and we envy it and compare "ours" to "theirs".
I admit to having fallen in this trap before and I'm almost certain to fall into it again. But at some point in my walk with God, I learned that it's a total waste of energy to compare myself to others and it isn't pleasing to God. In one particular instance, the author wasted so much energy stressing over her refrigerator that it robbed her of the joy of simply having friends in her home. I'm not faulting her for that, but instance after instance of these comparisons and stressors and envy's totally "wore me out" and I didn't enjoy the book as much as I'd hoped. I also expected more spiritual balance.

If you struggle with comparisons, you may love this book! You may feel a kindred spirit with Ms. Wyma. There are some funny parts to the book. I was thrilled to know I'm not the only one with food wrappers in the car nor laundry in the washer that been washed...three times!

I received my copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest opinion. I have not been compensated in any way.

http://www.amazon.com/Happy-You-Sort-Not-Really/dp/1601425953

2015-09-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

In her latest release, Woodsmall introduces readers to Ariana, a young woman of strength and conviction, who upholds the tenets of the faith and community she holds dear. She has a loving family and an adoring boyfriend. Yet the story truly begins 20 years ago, on a night filled with fear and expectation, as Ariana’s mother gives birth to her sixth child in the local Amish birthing center. On the same night, a pregnant English woman passing through the town, unexpectedly goes into labor and rushes to the birthing center to give birth to her daughter, Skylar. The birthing center catches fire...and lives are changed forever.

What follows is an intricately woven tale of the lives of two young women, living worlds apart, yet undeniably...and unknowingly, joined by that single night.

I have read every book Cindy Woodsmall has written and am a huge fan. For me, this story line moved too slow and the beginning of the book was a little confusing with all the various characters. I actually started the book over after I was several chapters in, hoping to grasp a better understanding of the story line and its characters.

Without giving anything away, I'm not sure how I feel about the ending! Ariana's decision...would that truly happen in the Amish culture? It doesn't seem possible to me.

Regardless, I will be watching for book 2 in "The Amish of Summer Grove" series to continue this journey with Ariana and Skylar. Ariana has some work to do for the Lord and Skylar has some serious healing to do. Will Skylar be able to open her heart and receive it? I'm anxious to find out!

Don’t miss this first book in the Amish of Summer Grove series! Waterbrook Press has been kind enough to offer two copies of this book...FREE...for two of my readers! To enter to win, simply comment on this post. A winner will be chosen on October 3! Good luck!

"When Grace Sings" by Kim Vogel Sawyer

2015-05-26T18:25:00.002-07:00

I'm a huge Kim Vogel Sawyer fan, so I was excited to read her latest novel "When Grace Sings". Ms. Sawyer writes with an ease that I truly enjoy. I also love the mix of Amish, Mennonite and English characters in her stories.

"When Grace Sings" is Book Two in the Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy. The painful secrets and confessions continue! Looks like we'll have to wait for Book 3 to see anything resolved!

The characters are very realistic...Alexa (the B & B owner) runs the gamut from naive to rude; the reporter from arrogant to vulnerable; and is Anna-Grace's fiance respectful, cowardly or both?

I'm still scratching my head, wondering how in the world Anna-Grace and her fiance could have known one another all their lives and she never knew what he truly wanted to do with his life as an adult? How does that happen? Did they not sit on a creek bank together and share their dreams through the years? If this can happen, that he couldn't tell her/didn't tell her, does that mean they aren't meant to be together? I can't wait to find out!

I'm anticipating these answers and more in Book 3!

Thank you Blogging for Books for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I give this book 4 stars.

Seasons of Tomorrow...Finale of the Amish Vines and Orchards series by Cindy Woodsmall

2015-04-25T10:58:00.000-07:00

I love Amish fiction...I've read just about every Amish fiction book on the "shelves" so to speak, so it takes a lot to surprise me or keep me in suspense with Amish stories. Cindy Woodsmall hit a home run with the Amish Vines and Orchards series and if you haven't read the first three books in the series, you need to do so before reading Seasons of Tomorrow.
The twists and turns of the story line...the complexity of the "characters" was portrayed so well that I found myself frustrated with them, impatient, sad, happy...you name it...
Sometimes it's hard to write a review without giving away too much...but the "gift" Rhoda has and the way she is treated for it and ultimately comes to terms with it is incredible!
The Amish way of "turning the other cheek" is so contrary to the world we live in and while we read of it often in Amish books, we don't often get such an inside glimpse of the ramifications of not turning the other cheek...Rhoda keeps silent about bullying and hurtful damage to her property, but someone wanting to seek justice on her behalf oversteps their bounds and reports it. The scene of Rhoda appearing before the church deacons and members is intense. The scrutiny...just their way of thinking is unreal.
Cindy Woodsmall is an amazing Amish fiction writer. Her stories are believable...they aren't fluff. If you've never read Amish fiction or if like me, you've read it for years, put the Amish Vines and Orchards series by Cindy Woodsmall on your must-read Christian fiction list!

Day 7 of 31 Days of Autumn

2014-10-07T05:50:00.000-07:00

I accidentally stumbled across this blog post and I'm super excited about it! I LOVE photography but have no training. There are some great tips here! Check them out!

AUTUMN PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: CAPTURING THE SEASON OF CHANGING COLOURS

Day 6 of 31 Days of Autumn

2014-10-07T05:44:00.003-07:00

Shew! Posting daily is much harder than I thought it would be! The past two nights as soon as I got settled into bed I've remembered that I didn't post for that day! In my defense, I've been under the weather, but yeah, well...weak defense. ;) LOL

I hope these beautiful photos and quotes inspire you today.

“No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face."

[The Autumnal]”

― John Donne, The Complete Poetry and Selected Prose

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“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house."

[Notebook, Oct. 10, 1842]”
― Nathaniel Hawthorne, The American Notebooks

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“Use what you have, use what the world gives you. Use the first day of fall: bright flame before winter's deadness; harvest; orange, gold, amber; cool nights and the smell of fire. Our tree-lined streets are set ablaze, our kitchens filled with the smells of nostalgia: apples bubbling into sauce, roasting squash, cinnamon, nutmeg, cider, warmth itself. The leaves as they spark into wild color just before they die are the world's oldest performance art, and everything we see is celebrating one last violently hued hurrah before the black and white silence of winter.”
― Shauna Niequist, Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way

Day 5 of 31 Days of Autumn

2014-10-05T12:09:00.006-07:00

I did most of my trick or treating in the 1970's...and boy, was it fun! It was safe to walk without parents...it was safe to go to a stranger's house for candy...it was just...FUN!

While we don't celebrate Halloween per se, we have let our young daughter trick or treat in our neighborhood and our church has a Truck or Treat. We have a great family oriented neighborhood and everyone make trick or treating fun for all the children. Folks set up fire pits in their drives (because it's ALWAYS freezing here by Oct. 31), some offer hot cider, etc.

Our daughter has been talking about costumes for weeks now. She has it narrowed down to Belle, Rapunzel, Cinderella and one other. LOL We usually go the homemade route because store costumes are so expensive. This got me to thinking about the costumes I had as a kid. A few were homemade...I mean, if you were a kid in the 70's who didn't wear a white sheet and call yourself a ghost?? But the store bought costumes were SO special and So...uncomfortable! LOL The masks were horrible thin plastic! I had this costume:

Good ole Raggedy Ann!

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Another costume from the 70's:

Wasn't Cinderella creepy??

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Does anyone remember Mrs. Beasley??

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And John Travolta as Vinnie Barbarino! lol

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Not sure why, but I miss the days of the Boxed Halloween Costume. LOL

Day 4 of 31 Days of Autumn Posts

2014-10-05T11:30:00.002-07:00

A wonderful gathering of beautiful Fall projects!

The Silly Pearl

Day 3 of 31 Days of Autumn Posts

2014-10-03T23:32:00.000-07:00

Check out these super cute FREE Autumn printables! Printables are such a fun, easy way to add a touch of decor to your home and you can change it out seasonally or even monthly if you desire!

Free Autumn Printables

and more here:

My Blessed Life Free Fall Printables

Day 2 of 31 days of Autumn Posts

2014-10-02T20:31:00.003-07:00

Thought I'd share a few photos I took last Autumn.

Raising a Mom

2014-10-01T18:39:00.001-07:00

Parents, what have your children taught you? What do I mean, you ask?

Last night, as I tucked Ryleigh (age 6) into bed, she talked about what she wants to do when she grows up. She talked about staying home and raising her kids, etc. We talked about the jobs I've had and I said, "But raising a child has been my favorite job of all!" She replied, "Raising a mom is my favorite job right now." I chuckled...but it hit me how true that statement is.

When you have your first child, you wish kids came with a manual, right? It's a beautiful, terrifying, wonderful, scary time.

Her statement humbled me. "Raising a mom." Wow.

My daughter has taught me patience. She's taught me that there is no skin color; that everyone is special. She's taught me humbleness, kindness and pure joy. She's taught me how to laugh again and how to not take myself so seriously. She's taught me that it's OK to be vulnerable.

She's taught me to lighten up in so many situations (It'll be OK, Mom!). She's taught me to forgive quickly and let it go. I mean, she can get punched by a school mate and then the next day, they're BFF's. While I nurse a grudge from, oh say...1987.

I thought my job of raising my daughter was difficult but I'd venture to say that her job of raising a Mom is much, much more difficult.

Eeeek! It's Autumn!! Day 1 of 31 Days of Autumn Posts

2014-10-01T18:25:00.000-07:00

If you can't tell, Autumn is my most favorite season of all! I mean, what's not to like about autumn?? A few of my autumn favorites include:

The amazing blue skies we have in autumn
The sunny cooler days and the chilly nights
Leaves of red, orange and yellow! The landscape it truly a masterpiece!
Sweatshirts, bon fires, hay rides, 'punkin' patches...
I'm not a fan of apple cider but I do love the smell!

What are some of your favorite things about autumn? Is it your favorite season too? I think it's my favorite because of all the colors and because I don't tolerate summer's heat well and we get tons of snow in the winter. lol

For the month of October I'm going to post some of my favorite fall pix, craft ideas, recipes, etc. I hope you'll stick around and join me!

Follow these links for more posts about Autumn:
Day 2 of 31 Days of Autumn

Day 3 of 31 Days of Autumn

Day 4 of 31 Days of Autumn

Day 5 of 31 Days of Autumn

Day 6 of 31 Days of Autumn

Day 7 of 31 Days of Autumn

Ain't it funny how time slips away...

2014-08-22T15:19:00.001-07:00

I have that song stuck in my head. LOL

What have I been up to since my last post? Existing. Healing. Dreaming. Living. Longing. Worshiping.

Existing...Just 15 days after my last post, my Mom died unexpectedly. Her death made the 9th loss in our family since 2011, I think. It has all blurred together for me. Five days after Mom died, we lost another family member. We were still reeling from the deaths of my father-in-law and my grandpa...as well as all the other losses, that I (we) stopped living and started existing. It's a terrible, dark place to be. I recall not being able to pray...not even able to groan out my pain to God. I specifically member laying in my dark bedroom on my side...wanting to speak out a prayer and couldn't and in my mind and heart I "said", "Lord, please don't let me go. Just don't let me go." God knew right were I was and He met my need...a need that I couldn't even speak out loud. He didn't let me go. He held me tight. He wrapped His loving arms around my broken spirit, heart and mind. Over time, I was able to eek past existing and began...

Healing...Healing is such a painful process. It's confusing, scary, sometimes agonizing...other times some happiness sneaks in...followed by guilt. By the time my Mom died, we'd lived here 3.5 years, I think. We'd never used our dining room as anything other than storage. Wall to wall, floor to ceiling storage. It was filled with the things of the loved ones we'd lost...Hubby's dad, his mom, his grandma, my grandpa, unpacked boxes from moving here...etc. Then, we just added Mom's stuff to it as well. This room of boxed up grief nearly consumed us. We tried several times to go through the boxes. The smell of my mom's apartment permeated her boxes of things and I found myself curled up in tears on the floor more often than not. But one day, I'd decided I was feeling stronger and began the task of going through things one. box. at. a. time. I can't recall how many weeks it took to empty out the "dining room" but with each empty box that I tossed I found just a little bit more healing as I reclaimed bits of my life back.

Dreaming...of a better day. Of a clean house and order in my home. Of a restored mind and heart. Of happiness. Of laughter. Of joy. Those things seemed out of reach for so long.

Living...I'll never forget the night I noticed a jet flying overhead and the stars twinkling. I used to love watching jets at night...wondering where they came from and where they were headed. Actually, I love watching them during the day as well. Traveling fascinates me. But when you're just existing, you don't notice the jets anymore. Or the stars twinkling. Or the scent of spring rain. Or the claps of thunder. Or your child needing extra time with you. Or a spouse that is struggling too. Or a car that hasn't had an oil change in 8000 miles. 8000 miles? Have a I traveled somewhere? Where did I go? Was I alone? Short term memory loss is devastating. But LIVING! Living creeps in, a little at a time. Yes, daughter, I have enough mental and physical energy to take you for ice cream. Yes, spouse, thank you for doing laundry all these months because without you, we wouldn't have clean clothing. I no longer stand in the kitchen and cry at the thought of simply deciding what to fix for supper. Then walking away hungry because I couldn't figure things out.

Longing...to be completely whole. See, when you just exist there's no energy to long for wholeness. There's no energy to long for healing. You don't care if there's clean clothes or groceries in the house. But after some healing comes and you start living again, clarity of mind allows you to start longing for what you've missed along this journey. I now long to help others through their grief. Sixteen days after my last post, I lay on my closet floor, grieving hard enough to want to die. I couldn't take any more loss. But now, I long for happy days. I long to spend time with my non-stop-talking little girl. I long to make new friends. I long to travel. I long to be in church and be involved. It feels good to long again. "...As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God." Psalm 41:1 NLT

Worshiping...While I never stopped loving God through these years of loss, I also wasn't in a place of thankfulness for my trials. I'd lost appreciation for the Scripture that says "In ALL things, give thanks." (I Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.) I didn't see any blessing in my losses. I didn't see anything good about any of it at all. I wasn't thankful. Just keeping it real here. But on the other side of the existing, healing, dreaming, living and longing, I can see God's hand in my every day, my every moment, my very second of pain and grief. I rejoice that He answered the longing of my heart when my mind cried out, "Just don't let me go!". I can worship Him for bringing me through waters that nearly drowned me. Am I thankful for my losses? No. But I am very thankful for His sustaining power, for His strength to make it through, for those He allowed me to love for a time, for His Word that comforts, sustains, heals and helps me.

So, in a nut shell, that's what I've been up to these past 20 months. Ain't it funny how time slips away?

Until We All Come Home Book Giveaway!

2012-11-12T12:21:00.000-08:00

As I wrote in my previous post, I was so honored to be a part of the Launch Team for author Kim de Blecourt's new book entitled "Until We All Come Home". I was especially excited because this book is about something that is very close to my heart: adoption.

This book is described as "A Harrowing Journey, A Mother's Courage, A Race to Freedom" and let me tell you, this description is 100% accurate! I couldn't put this book down and read it...start to finish...in a 24 hour period. It's riveting and intense, frustrating and emotional and ultimately, it's so encouraging and victorious!

I'm amazed at Kim de Blecourt's tenacity and her crazy-strong faith that she would not give up what God has promised her! What blessed me even more so is her honesty in how this journey changed her. I, too, have been on a harrowing journey and while I've stood firm in my faith in God, I've been changed as well. Changes that I don't like. I read a lot of books and no one ever talks much about how the very difficult times can change you in ways you don't want...but de Blecourt poignantly shares her heart. And in her doing so, has brought a special peace to my heart and mind and proclaims, "Michelle! You aren't alone!" For me, because of the author's honesty, a fresh healing has begun within me.

Faith Words offers this description of the book: “When Kim de Blecourt and her husband decided to adopt a child from Ukraine, they knew that the process might be challenging. Nothing, however, could have prepared de Blecourt for the twisted nightmare she would endure. During her year-long struggle to extricate her newly adopted little boy from that post-Soviet country’s corrupt social service and judicial systems, de Blecourt was insulted, physically assaulted, and arrested. Worse, her months of loneliness, worry, and fear drove her to the brink of spiritual despair. But God had no intention of abandoning de Blecourt or her family. Her amazing story-culminating in a spine-chilling race to freedom-offers dramatic proof that God’s light shines on even in the deepest darkness”

The author has given me a beautiful, hard back copy of "Until We All Come Home" to share with my readers! All you have to do to enter to win is comment below why you'd like to receive a copy of this book. The winner will be chosen on Friday, Nov. 16. Spread the word!

Until We All Come Home book review

2012-10-19T20:35:00.002-07:00

Until We All Come Home: A Harrowing Journey, a Mother's Courage, a Race to Freedom by Kim De Blecourt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A stunning account of an American woman in a foreign country fighting for what God told her was HERS! This book is so captivating that I read it in one day! I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of the book. I decided to take a nice hot bath yesterday and start the book. I could. not. put. this. book. down. I had to refill the tub with hot water twice! The raw emotion that Kim De Blecourt writes with...the stunningly honest sharing of her fear, anger, exhaustion, faith, tenacity...makes this a story I won't soon forget! Bravo!

View all my reviews

What would you do??

2012-08-22T14:24:00.000-07:00

Last summer, a few weeks before my father-in-law passed away, we were able to go back to my hubby's empty childhood home and go through the house and farm grounds one more time.

Our little one on the side porch of my Hubby's abandoned childhood home.

While in the house, with the aid of flashlights, we were able to find the baby clothes his Mama and Dad brought him home in from the hospital in 1970, as well as his baby blanket. We found his old Jenny Lind crib, lots of his books and his desk!

Daddy & Ryleigh loading up his baby crib!

And the desk!

This desk was "the" place my school-loving-husband-to-be did his homework all the way through high school! We lugged this desk home...not having any clue where we'd put it, etc. Well, a year later, I finally drug it out of the massive storage room that most people call Dining Room and I sat it in the kitchen. We have a huge kitchen and the desk fits perfectly.

My problem is this: do I leave the desk as is or do I refinish it? When we were dragging it out of the super-hot-dusty-old-farmhouse last year, I mentioned refinishing it, but Hubby said, "Oh I don't know. I like it as is!"

Of course, we were looking at it through 20+ years of DUST. Major dust. Now that I have it washed off, all the ~~yucky-ness~~ major wear shows. Now, I'm all about being sentimental. Years ago, according to my counselor, because of my childhood trauma, I now assign "feelings and emotions" to non-living things. Like...I'm devastated for the last Christmas tree in the lot that didn't get chosen or at the end of Autumn, Hubby has to throw our outdoor pumpkins away because I can't bear to do it...that sort of thing. I can relate to being "not important" enough to be chosen or to being tossed away/aside. Before you feel sorry for me or think I'm too strange, God has brought me much healing and I do believe that I was the one who through the pumpkins away last year. ;-) The fact that they were terribly moldy might have had something to do with it...lol

I'm posting some pix here of the desk in all its glory. It truly looks much worse in person. lol What would you do? Leave it as is? Refinish it? ~~Throw it away?~~

See all the pencil marks my hubby made on this poor desk sometime in the late 70's or 1980's?? (I kind of don't mind the pencil marks)

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Middle Top

I'm really sorry my pix aren't that great...cell phone, ya know? So, let me know what you would do! I can't wait to hear!

And this isn't all we brought home! Stayed tuned for more posts!

Be a Blessing

2012-08-05T15:44:00.002-07:00