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recent features

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 17:28:00 +0000

Etsy Treasuries can be such a fun way to shop.
It's like having your own clothing/home/seasonal/etc stylists right at your fingertips! Items are grouped together by theme and you could get lost in all the fun arenas people put together. But if you looking for something specific, treasuries can also help narrow down the great wide world that is Etsy.

They're also a lot of fun to create too!

Behind the Moon Beadworks (btmbeadworks on Etsy) was given some recent features as you can see below.

African Turquoise and Carved Wood Earrings

Green and Yellow Jewelry

Find the treasury here.

Long Fringe Silver Necklace

Inspiring , beautiful & unique!

Find the treasury here.

If you haven't perused an Etsy Treasury yet, I encourage you to give them a try. Maybe even create one yourself!

shop re-opening

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 17:22:00 +0000

Happy New Year!

I hope all of you had joyous and peaceful holidays! With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season behind us it's time to redirect our attention to the up and coming year. Behind the Moon Beadworks will be available at some new locations this year (more on that to come) yet remains convenient for all at our Etsy shop. I hope you will stop by the shop and see the latest designs that will be appearing soon!

holiday shop 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 17:08:00 +0000

Behind the Moon Beadworks will be at the Holiday Shop at South Butler Primary School in Saxonburg PA tomorrow evening from 6:30 to 8:30. If you are in the area we would love to see you there! Enjoy some yummy refreshments as you peruse the festive offerings of several local vendors and business owners.

Support your local businesses this holiday season!

new to the shop

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 15:11:00 +0000

Hi friends!

I'm excited to let you know that my Etsy Shop is now re-open (after a few years hiatus) and new items are being added. Here's a peak at some of what's new.

1. Earrings - Cream, Teardrop, Chandelier, Green, Pearl, Chain, Diamond, Long, Dangle, Swag, Silver, Sterling, Beaded, Handmade

2. Necklace - Triple Strand - Autumn, Orange, Gold, Green, Glass, Fall, Multi strand, Muted, Beaded, Handmade

3. Earrings - Carnelain, Jade, Wire, Wrapped, Gold, Fall, Orange, Yellow, Chandelair, Teardrop, Long, Beaded, Handmade

4. Necklace - Fringe Charm - Long, Chain, Sterling, Silver, Cobalt, Blue, Dangle, Beaded, Handmade

5. Earrings - Cherry Blossom - Pink, Gold, Citron, Chandelier, Lime, Sweet, Spring, Summer, Beaded, Handmade

Stop by the shop and see what's new!

speak to me | when you need some encouragement

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 14:28:00 +0000

Have you ever had a period in your life where you are being extremely blessed but the actual walking through the blessings can be a bit of a challenge?
That is where I find myself these last few weeks. My little family is undergoing a lot of changes in a short period of time...aka blessings ;)
But as we try to adjust to all these changes there have still been frayed nerves, time crunches, and a few tears. New school, new routines, unstable income, building projects, etc, etc. Doesn't sound too bad right? Lord knows our struggles could be so much worse and I am very thankful that they are not. But still. When you're in the midst of any struggle, you can grow weary and overwhelmed.

So I find myself in need of a little encouragement today and thought you might be too ;) Here are some inspirations from my "Speak to Me" and "Faith" boards on Pinterest.

source

Source


Source

Phew, that helped! Just reading through these has helped me to re-focus and re-energize.
Now to go be the mother and wife my family needs during this collective growing season!

Insta-Sale!

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:27:00 +0000

The time has come! Behind the Moon Beadworks is having our first Instagram Only Sale this Saturday 9/6 starting at 9am. Watch your feed, you don't want to miss this! Not following us yet? No worries, find me @btmbeadworks.

*Open to US residents only

goodbye summer

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 16:11:00 +0000

From sweltering in June to wearing a jacket in August. From days of overloaded schedules to days where you don't even look at the clock because time simply doesn't matter. From the burden of big decisions and change to peace in the knowledge that God is working all things for our good.

2014 was the summer of extremes.

The (somewhat) short of it...

Hiked the nestled and windy trials that led to the glorious splendor that is Hocking Hills, Oh.

Began a Paleo diet and finally began to lose weight and not be exhausted ALL the time.

Lounged on the beach with our toes in the sand and looked on as our boys splashed and giggled and made memories that they (and us) will cherish.

Watched my boys stretch out of their comfort zones and learn something new...Tae Kwon Do. Boy do I love watching them practice their blocks and kicks. The spark of confidence has found them :)

Nurtured seedlings into a bountiful garden. Well ok, maybe not all of it was bountiful but zucchini, tomatoes, and peppers for sure!

Tried our hands at canning...homemade salsa, pepper relish, and pickles.

Celebrated the gift of family and the ties that bind us to our roots no matter time or distance.

Hubsy was finally able to quite his day job after 3 years of building his own business (a lot of blood sweat and tears on both our parts). Woohoo!

Kiddos began attending a new school. Scary for L. Total excitement for E. I love how they have their own unique personalities.

Marveled at the artistry of our creator that is oh so evident in the sunsets we are treated to every night. Love our new house/location. The sky is just so HUGE.

And now for the pics...

speak to me | simple life

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 07 May 2014 17:22:00 +0000

I love words.
I don't often get them out right but when they are strung together well, your soul can be moved.
So I'm starting a new little series called "speak to me" featuring some great quotes and moving words that inspire me. Many are from my Speak to Me board on Pinterest. (You can follow me here.)
I hope you find something that moves you as well.

The focus for today is simplifying and living a quiet life. My word for the year is "eliminate", and I have been putting my efforts both in the physical and non-physical. Clearing out some of our possessions as well as unnecessary thoughts/worries and pairing down on some of the meaningless time-suckers I've fallen prey to. There's still a far way to go but I'm a work in progress :)

Enjoy!

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the peaceful perfectionist

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:55:00 +0000

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EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

It's no news flash that I am an introvert. But I seem to have been going through this mid-life crisis of sorts for a year or two now. I've been very introspective and wanting to learn more about myself so I can live more authentically. I'm not hiding any more, I've been sharing much more of myself than before. But the fact remains that I'm an introvert, I need quiet and alone time. So now when I need to pull back and let myself refuel in quiet solitude, I do so without feeling guilty about it because I understand that it is a valid need of mine..

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I never could resist a good personality quiz so if you know of any, please share! The following is an excerpt from Renee Swope's "A Confident Heart Devotional" which I started at the beginning of lent. It's actually taken from Florence Littauer's book "Personality Plus" and I think it is incredibly accurate. We all have aspects of each of these personality types but most people have one or two that they strongly identify with.

So take a gander at them for yourself. Which one(s) are you?

Phlegmatic: Desires PEACE
Needs times of quiet, reduced stress, feeling of worth, respect
Strengths        Relational Challenges
Calm                       Stubborn
Adds balance          Uninvolved
Witty                       Procrastinates
Low-key             Unenthusiastic
Considerate         Hard to motivate
Reliable               Denial
Makes peace          Careless

Choleric: Desires CONTROL
Needs appreciation for achievements, opportunity for leadership, participation in decisions
Strengths     Relational Challenges
Problem solver         Opinionated
Decisive             Workaholic tendency
Natural leader           Usurps authority
Good organizer Insensitive
Task oriented           Arrogant
High energy       Manipulative
Excels in crisis        Has a hard time admitting their faults
Confident

Sanguine: Desires FUN
Needs interaction, affection, approval, attention
Strengths            Relational Challenges
Loves people          Emotional
Friendly                Dislikes schedules
Exciting        Makes excuses
Humorous          Gets bored easily
Charming           Loses track of time
Creative             Takes on too much
Thrives on activity    Easily distracted
Great storyteller

Melancholy: Desires PERFECTION
Needs understanding, stability, support, space, silence

Strengths             Relational Challenges
Works well alone    Easily depressed
Planner                     Lacks spontaneity
Organized           Naively idealistic
Accurate            Thrifty to extremes
Intuitive              Doesn’t do well under pressure
Fair                        Perfectionist
Creative             Hard to please
Empathetic           Discontent
Good with numbers

I am without a doubt a Phlegmatic Melancholy, or as I prefer to think of it....a peaceful perfectionist :)
The "strengths" that best describe me are makes peace, low-key, adds balance, planner, intuitive, fair, empathetic, and creative. The list of relational challenges that best describes me are probably uninvolved, stubborn, thrifty to extremes, doesn't do well under pressure (I get just a wee bit crabby!), perfectionist, and easily depressed. Perhaps that doesn't paint the prettiest picture but in all reality these are my instinctive behaviors. Doesn't mean I can't modify them and that's what I'm working on. I want to be more involved and relational with people but honestly it does not come naturally.

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And I will leave you with a fun little coffee related personality quiz....I'm a latte : )

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will i ever do something great?

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:31:00 +0000

There's so much going on in my heart right now. I've really been spending a lot of time in reflection and examination of my life and spirit. One example of something heavy on my heart lately is my purpose.

Who did God create me to be?
What are my God given gifts?
And how can I use them to glorify God?

Just can't stop with the sunsets at the hilltop homestead :)

For some reason I keep coming back to my job. Am I blessed to have it? Yeppers. Does it provide for my family? Absolutely. But does it make good use of my abilities? Not so much.

I've been researching, and thinking, and doing a whole lot of praying about this. I have so much more to contribute than what has been so far. With the vast reach of the internet and social media, I now see tons of people accomplishing great things and while it makes my heart happy to see so much of God's love being poured out by others, I tend to feel like I'm watching from the sidelines.

Then I ran across this devotion at Proverbs 31 Ministries. Take a minute to read it and come on back.

It almost felt like I could have written the first part. And then this statement truly hit me.

I was under the false impression that if God chose me to accomplish great things for Him, it would include an elaborate theme with plenty of fanfare. - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/devotions/devo/will-i-ever-accomplish-something-great/#sthash.yvXq79Qr.dpuf

"I was under the false impression that if God chose me to accomplish great things for Him, it would include an elaborate theme with plenty of fanfare."

While looking to use my gifts in a big way, I have been oblivious to how I am already using them on the ground level. I am quite like the servant with one bag of silver in the Parable of the three servants. How have I been handling the responsibilities He has already given me? I have been focusing on a big opportunity to use my gifts rather than the small ones I am presented with every day. They may seem insignificant but nothing escapes the eye of our Lord. Am I using my abilities to be the wife and mother God has called me to be? The daughter/sister/friend He has called me to be? How can I ask Him to use me for more if I do not seek out these His will for me in these quiet moments of routine?

So maybe using my gifts won't come in the form of a new career or business venture. I must look first to how I am using my gifts within my own home. Learning to have a heart of thanksgiving and obedience. The difference we can make in our own homes should not be taken lightly.

May we choose peace when we just want to yell in frustration when our young ones test limits.

May we continually die to our own selfish desires and love on our husbands the way God directs...whether we feel like they deserve it in that moment or not.

May we strive to love each other unconditionally the way that Jesus loves us.

Our "something great" may be little in the eyes of others, but great indeed to our Father's eyes.

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

where's she been?

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 17:43:00 +0000

Yeah, it's been a little while since I posted.
Where've I been?
Aside from the normal goings on of life (which we'll get to) there has been a lot of analyzing and self-searching going on in this little brain of mine. And if I'm totally honest, some insecurity too. You know that lie where you think you need to have it all together to be worth sharing yourself with others?

Yeah, well I mistakenly buy into that from time to time but I'm always reminded that blogging is an outlet for me. I don't always have something profound to say and that's ok. This is my place to share my creative loves, my fragile soul and strengthening faith, as well as the little moments that I just don't want to forget.

On that note, here's little bit of what's been brewing at the "Hilltop Homestead" lately. Yep, I've dubbed the new place. A little idea I stole from my sweet friend Amanda that I'm blessed to have "met" through blogging. You should go check out her "half-acre-home-on-the-range" and "happy foods" garden over at Chaos and Coffee.

To say we love our new place is a bit of an understatement. I am obsessed with the fields and skies that I am now blessed to see every day. The only downfall of our new home is the wind, man it really whips living on the top of a hill! The crazy disheveled hair it gives me is a small price to pay and Hubsy always liked me in a baseball cap anyway :)

Barns *sigh* I just love 'em!

My favorite field.

Sun setting right through the hole of a dilapidated barn....gorgeous.

The busyness of life has picked up a bit again as we head into spring which means Hubsy will be working all.the.time. Boo. These months are hard on us but we do our best to get through them, making memories where we can.

Sometimes a quick card game before bed helps us to unite as a family at the end of the day.

A little adventuring helps too - our first Geocaching experience - we're hooked!

Making our mark to make our new house a home.

Life is a cycle of resting and working, dreaming and growing. The secret is to treasure all of it!

Make it a great week friends ~ There is much to be thankful for and hopeful about!

not for me but for You

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 17:52:00 +0000

One of the greatest seasons us upon us. No not Spring, not in Pittsburgh yet at least ;) But that of the season of Lent which leads up to the ultimate celebration we have as Christians. Easter Sunday, the day Jesus conquered death and with it, our sin. Lent is a time of preparation we as believers experience through prayer, repentance, and sacrifice or self-denial.

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Self-denial is something we as humans really struggle with, so deep rooted is it in us to seek our own pleasure. But when we think of what Christ went through for us, that much love, that much pain endured...it becomes such an act of love to make some sort of small sacrifice in honor of Him. Many times we only see the self-denial, the rules, the limitations. We don't see the actual freedom that comes through obedience. Obedience is hard for me even though I understand it will lead to a greater good. Probably for many, but definitely for me. Too many times I choose what I want "for the now" instead of what I need for eternity. But I am learning. And thank God He still loves such a beautiful mess as me anyway.

And so this year I am sacrificing sweets, and I'm a little nervous about it. Lots of people give up sweets for lent, but they probably don't fret much about it. You may have seen some of the healthy choices I've been making on Facebook and Instagram but don't be fooled, I am still a hard-core sugar addict. This is something that frustrates me to no end. That I in my own power can't get control over it.

I have given up sweets all-together for lent once before, about 10 years ago. And have given them up a few times since then but I always built in a cheat for myself knowing how hard it was before. Saying I'll give up sweets for all the days except Sundays or I'll give up sweets but I can still have one little piece of hard candy after dinner. It's so foolish, I know. I'm certainly not proud of this line of thinking. But this year....this year with His grace I will truly do it. Because I know that if I truly do it for Him and not for myself then He will provide the strength. Those years before...I was really just doing it for myself. To say I gave something up. That I sacrificed something I love for Jesus. But I didn't really do it at all. It was a farce. I am determined to make a true and honest sacrifice this year for my Lord, and I know He will help me when I call upon Him.

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One of the most difficult times that has caused me problems in the past is that both of my sons celebrate their birthdays during Lent. It'll be tough to not participate in the birthday ritual of cake and ice cream. It's easy to make the excuse that it is a special occasion, which indeed it is, but I'm too good at rationalizing. I can find a reason that every day is a special occasion ;) I'm just going to have to focus on the other ways we celebrate and not just the cake an dice cream part.

Do you participate in Lent? Are you sacrificing anything or perhaps adding something?

*PS - I also like to add something to my life during this season that I don't normally do. This year I am doing the Renee Swope's "A Confident Heart" daily devotional. I can't wait to see how God will change me by committing to daily time with Him.

finish this | week 8

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 13:50:00 +0000

What a week! It seems like life has been all over the place this week. It's fun to take a little break and "finish this" :)

1. My favorite comfort food is
Lasagna! Lasagna! Lasagna! That ooey-gooey-cheesy-metly goodness is just oh-so-hard to resist. Hubsy's recipe is my favorite, he uses cottage cheese instead of ricotta. And it's a rare treat too because he doesn't make it very often.

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2. My most memorable birthday was
my first birthday party with school friends. My birthday is in the summer so I never got to celebrate it in school with my class and one year my parents had a party for me at our house with the whole class invited. It was awesome for me at that young age and it really made me feel super special to be able to have a party with kids other than my cousins. Most birthdays these days are pretty quiet, definitely no party involved. Hmmm...maybe I need to remedy that ;)

3. The best karaoke song is
every song! I am a singer, albeit a terrible one. I love to belt out pretty much anything. I used to get embarrassed when I was younger and I would be out running errands with my mom and she would start singing whatever song was on in the store. I was all 'I don't know this lady, I just happen to be walking beside her'. She would always laugh at me and tell me I would do the same thing to my kids one day. And I totally DO! I love to sing along to any song that's on and watch them roll their eyes at me. Oh and Hubsy just loves it too, he's always telling me that "Karaoke night isn't until tomorrow" while he tries to mask himself behind his glasses/hand/hat whatever he can find to hide behind.

4. Boots make me feel
sassy. Whether it be fashionable knee high boots or hiking boots, they make me feel like I can tackle anything.

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5. I am grateful
for God's faithfulness this past year. I used to suffer from TMJ pain pretty much daily. After years of nothing my dentist or doctor recommended working, I finally pursued chiropractics and it has been a literal God-send. I then began to suffer from significant fatigue and inability to focus. I finally listened to the inner voice in my head telling me it wasn't just normal "mom-tired". Went to have blood-work done and found out I was low on iron and been taking supplements ever since which has helped a good bit. And just when we thought we had no hope of selling our house and moving to our humble hilltop homestead, God stepped in and found a way. I prayed fervently in all of these areas and God answered, maybe not right away like I wanted ;) ...but in His time. I am so blessed and so very very thankful for it.

Happy hump day!

link up here!

industrial farmhouse | wall decor

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 19:40:00 +0000

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As more and more painting gets completed at our little country house, we are finally starting to embark on the final touches of decor. When it comes to making a house feel like a home, it's not until the wall decor begins to go up that it really comes together and feels like your sanctuary. At least that's how I see it.

Farmhouse style is all about the richness of texture. The more worn the better! So I'm sharing some of my inspiration with those of you who enjoy this style of decorating as well. Got a favorite?

1. DIY LOVE sign
2. old barnwood art
3. fine art photography - autumn
4. aqua bottle wall decor
5. farmhouse wreath
6. primitive candle sconce
7. hanging lantern

Happy Monday friends!
Make it a great week!

DIY body butter

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 17:35:00 +0000

Remember my post about eliminating? I'm talking toxins here :)

Beauty products are at the top of the list as far as toxic exposure to your body. I used to think of my skin as armor essentially. But no, anything that goes on your skin get absorbed directly into your blood stream and bypasses your liver altogether! Which is why your toxin exposure from beauty products is even more concerning than the ones from the foods you eat.

Hey beauty products,, you've been warned! You are first on my list to attack and reclaim health for my body. Today I thought I'd share a great DIY and all natural (organic even) alternative to body lotion.

Behold the body butter.

It could not be easier and only consists of two ingredients...

* 1 cup coconut oil (organic if you can)
* 10-12 drops essential oil of your choice

That's it. Easy right? Put the coconut oil in a bowl, add your drops of essential oil (I used eucalyptus for a little pick me up), and mix on high for 6-7 minutes. Whipping the coconut oil helps to give it a much smoother buttery texture. The essential oil adds some lovely fragrance and depending on the one you pick can have additional health benefits as well! Win-win. Then get yourself a pretty little air-tight jar to keep it in. I think this sweet mason jar works well don't you?

Let me know if you give it a try, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

finish this | link up week 6

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 14:21:00 +0000

This is my first link-up with Nicole {Three 31}, Lisa {The Coastal Chicster}, Becky {The Java Mama}, and Jen {The Arizona Russums}) for the weekly series called Finish This. And with this being Valentine's week, the prompts are all about love-y dove-y stuff :)

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1. I celebrate Valentine's Day by...

making some sort of love notes or something handmade. Usually Valentine's Day, while important, does not get any room in the budget for gifts, so my instincts are to go to something handmade or service-y to show my love. This year I made coupon books for my boys with little coupons for one-on-one time, extra video game time, and even a mandatory family dance party :) Hubsy is getting little love notes hidden around the house, in his car, etc. It will be fun to see how long it takes him to find them all :)

2. My heart goes pitter-patter for...

eyes that express adoration. You know...."that" look. The one Hubsy gives that says "you are awesome, I'm so hooked on you". Yep...that one.

3. When looking for romance, my best advice is...

initiate. Since I've been with Hubsy for almost 20 years, my advise is more for those already in a relationship. Hold hands, even if your just running errands. Be sure to hug him and take a moment to re-connect when he gets home from work. Even just for those few seconds. Give his ~~bum~~ back a little rub when you pass by ;)

4. My favorite love story (real or fiction) is...

The Notebook...enough said.

5. The best relationship/love/dating advice I ever received was...

Hmm....this one is a toughie. I don't think I've really been given much in the way of relationship advice but here are a few things I find to be true and inspiring.

Wishing you all a love-filled (in all its various forms) Valentine's day!

industrial farmhouse | lighting

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 17:34:00 +0000

When I first got married, I wanted everything in my home to be "just so" and look very "adult". I think I was trying to convince myself that I truly was all grown-up ;)

Now I find myself gravitating to decor pieces that are constructed from substantial materials and perhaps a bit worn looking. A reflection of how I view myself now ten years into marriage? Maybe so!

I'm sure moving to the country has a wee bit of something to do with it as well. Open fields, old barns, and run down bridges can be very inspirational!

One thing our sweet new abode needed was some new lighting. And let me tell you, when it comes to industrial farmhouse style...the lighting is where its at!

Just look at these drool-worthy fixtures....such texture, such character!

1. chicken wire lantern
2. wrought iron sphere
3. classic bell pendant
4. harlowe wire and glass pendant
5. nautical lantern
6. whitney pendant

A unique light can make a huge impact on the feel of a room. If you follow me on IG you'll know I went to my favorite source, Pottery Barn and chose this Rustic Glass Pendant. Ain't she a beauty?!

Rustic Glass Pendant

I had so much fun picking out new lighting.
Are you in the market for some new lighting? I hope these provide some inspiration for you as well!

in a word

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:49:00 +0000

Whew! Moving can take a lot out of you and leave you drained.
Hubsy and I completed all of our move entirely ourselves, just us two. And I. Am. Exhausted.
Our holidays were crazy hectic with the move smack dab in the middle plus being "homeless" for a week but there was still joy to be had and we cherished it!

So now we are starting a new chapter of our lives right in conjunction with the New Year.
Change is all around me. Some welcome, some...not so much ;)
So amidst all this change and preparation for the future, my word for 2014 has been embedding itself deeper and deeper into my mind.

e·lim·i·nate [ih-lim-uh-neyt]

to omit, especially as being unimportant or irrelevant; leave out:

It may seem a little weird that I chose this for my word. Most people pick more inspiring sounding words but this is the one that speaks to me. Folks, it's time for the unnecessary to go. And believe it or not, our lives are filled with way more excess than we think. I'm not ready to chuck it all and head for a hut in the wilderness (I like indoor plumbing thank you) but I am ready to seriously reduce all the "what-not" I've got in my life. The truly unimportant things as well as some seriously important but bad-for-you-and-gotta-go things. And in a big way, this move was the first step.

I mentioned before that we have downsized in home space. At first I was relieved to be getting rid of some things that I felt obligated to hang on to because it was a gift or it helped to fill up a room that hardly got used anyway but now that we are on the other side of the move I'm finding that even more needs to go. And that's not always easy or relieving. What if I need that pretty bowl one day?! What if I want to have two gray sweaters so I don't feel like I'm wearing the same thing all the time? Well, there just isn't as much room and I refuse to live in cramped feeling quarters just to fit in what really is a luxury and not a need. Don't mistake, our new home is plenty big enough, it's just that Hubsy and I have collected so much "stuff". Learning to simplify has been on our hearts for some time now and we are slowly starting the process.

I also want to eliminate the unnecessary busy. My time is precious and it's time I started treating it that way. Include some quality "me" time. Rekindle my time with the Lord. Connect with my kids. Take time to "create" on various levels. More to come on this.

If you follow me on Pinterest (you can follow me here) you might have noticed some of the health related pins I've been pinning lately. Eliminating toxins from my life (as much as I can reasonably do). Eating clean and organic, detoxifying, healing our hormones....these are all topics that I've begun to feel quite passionate about and will begin to share some of my journey here on the blog as well.

Did you pick a word for 2014? What was it?

Happy hump day friends!

trimmings & trappings

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 13:58:00 +0000

I think everyone would agree that moving at Christmastime is something you try to avoid at all costs. Unfortunately sometimes it can't be avoided. It's hard to feel festive when your walls are bare and there are boxes everywhere. We did manage to put up our Christmas tree, Santa needs somewhere to bring presents don't ya know ;) We are doing our best to get into the spirit despite the fact that our home is becoming increasingly barren.

There is something to be said for preparing your home and making it a joyous reflection of the season. Giving your children the wonder of Christmas magic, the sparkly lights, the heartwarming smells, showing them the significance that something really big is about to happen...celebrating Christ our Savior's birth. Showing His love through so many ways.

So while there's not much festive decorating, cookie baking, twinkly light hanging, etc going on for us this year, I've decided to live vicariously through these beautiful images from my Holiday Cheer Pinterest board. Follow me on Pinterest here!

Let's get to it shall we?

how I would love to walk up to this front door, real live greenery is my fav

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can a kitchen sink get any cuter

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absolutely making these lighted Christmas "presents" for on the front porch next year

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how about these sweet nests full of presents

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epsom salts make the perfect snowscape

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simply and adorable

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I think we could all use a little more jingle in our lives...am I right?

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December 2014...it's so ON baby!

How will you be decorating this year? I truly hope all of you are having joyful holiday season and letting your creative juices flow!

I've also asked all that follow on IG to share their posts that mark the Christmas spirit with #holidayjoy, will you join in the fun? Follow me on IG here.

Have a wonderful week my friends!

its unoffically official

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 15:49:00 +0000

Images from my "Country Living" Pinterest board. Follow me at Krista@behindthemoon

So it's finally "kinda-sorta-unofficially" official. Gotta sign on the dotted line buuutttt....

After 6 ~~awful~~ long months, Hubsy, the rowdies, and I will finally be moving to the country! I am so completely relieved to get this process over and start a new chapter in our lives. Back in this post I talked about my frustration with knowing if this was going to be God's plan for us or not. Well, He's kept us guessing until the very end ;)
Not gonna lie, it was a pretty difficult process and only a few people really know all the twists and turns we had along the way but you want to know the best part? Not only is God gifting us with this dream come true but He also made my sister an instrumental piece of the puzzle. How cool is that?!

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Living in the country is something we have always wanted but considered more of a retirement-type of thing until about a year-and-a-half ago. I think my mid-life crisis actually started at about 35 because what I used to consider "someday" things have turned into "gotta do it now" things. Right now. Like now, ya hear.

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The more we thought about it the more we wanted this for our kids so they could have the time to enjoy it before ~~girls~~ friends became more important and their focus shifts to their own budding adulthood. Not to mention, we just need more space. More space for Hubsy's business equipment, a large garden, and hopefully one day...chickens. Eeek, I love the thought of having chickens! The whole idea of living a little more self-sufficeintly and naturally really resonates with me. And so while we will be gaining land, we will be downsizing house. This is a little daunting but also very exciting! Living with a little less "stuff"....I can almost hear myself taking a nice deep cleansing breathe and feeling the freedom of it :)

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And so....these are the things I am looking forward to, all of which will be surrounding our new home.

open fields

dirt roads

farms

quiet

livestock

rolling hills

four-wheel riding

wildflowers

barns

playing in the creek

fences

fresh local honey

cleaner air

views upon views upon views

So much to be thankful for.
Wishing you and your families a blessed and very Happy Thanksgiving!

am I ever really there?

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 17:41:00 +0000

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Have you ever had an idea/concept/truth all the sudden sink in... even though you've heard it over and over again?

It's a God thing. Sometimes He needs to open your heart to "hear" the message and that can take time.

I'm a Barenaked Ladies fan. Have been since Hubsy and I met back in 1995, he took me to see them in concert and I was hooked. So needless to say I've been listening to them for a long time. "For you" is one of my favorites and there are these lyrics in there that just hit me one day about a year ago.

"If I hide myself wherever I go

Am I ever really there?"

--Lyrics from "For You" by Barenaked Ladies

I never considered myself as having low self-esteem, but maybe I did? I do care what people think of me. Problem is it seems I spent most of my life caring to the point that I would try and alter people's perception of me or I would just clam up and not share much of myself. I would rather someone not have much of any opinion of me than really know me and dislike me.
I was not living authentically. I was not practicing true self-acceptance. The day those lyrics finally hit me, I pondered if I am hiding portions of myself, am I really truly living? Am I having authentic experiences? Um...no.

Self acceptance is the only way to true happiness. It's an extension of how God sees you. As a unique and irreplaceable treasure, flaws and all. I'm learning to embrace the things I once thought of as flaws. Changing the way you think and act is not easy. It takes time, not like flipping a switch or anything. But I am truly so much happier and feel at peace more often having begun to put this into practice.

Sadly I have to admit that I was even hiding parts of myself from friends and family. I would often just stay quiet and not share much. Lately I've been sharing more and more about my opinion, my faith, and my thoughts with those I once would not have. Authentic relationships is what I crave now.

How about you? Do you hide yourself?

what is it about cable?

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 13:44:00 +0000

Seriously...what is it about cable knit sweaters that makes you just feel oh so cozy and secure?
I think the secret's in the structure the roping detail provides. Any way you braid it, it's a timeless beauty.

Now wouldn't you just love to wrap up in some of these cozies? And maybe join me for a lovely cup o' coffee? We could chat about our vulnerabilities because our cable knit sweaters would make us feel more secure in doing so ;)

Which is your fav? I can't decide! However I'm really loving the pairing of a lace detail with #3.

1. Fold Collar Sweater
2. Green Heather Sweater Dress
3. Cream Cable Sweater Twin Set
4. Blue Cable Cardigan
5. Cream Button Up Cardigan

Happy Friday my dear friends...stay cozy!

if I were....

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 13:55:00 +0000

Here's a fun little post....don't you just love these? I do anyway.
If you don't, feel free to pass on this one... I won't be offended :)

I got this one from the ever so lovely Sarah over at "any way the wind blows", love that I get to be one of her "peeps" ;) You can too...check out her answers here.

If I were a month, I’d be October
If I were a day of the week, I’d be a Saturday Morning
If I were a time of day, I’d be 8:30am
If I were a planet, I’d be undiscovered
If I were a sea animal, I’d be sea otter

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If I were a direction, I’d be SouthEast
If I were a piece of furniture, I’d be a loveseat
If I were a liquid, I’d be honey
If I were a gemstone, I’d be Smoky Quartz
If I were a tree, I’d be a Weeping Willow
If I were a tool, I’d be a flashlight
If I were a flower, I’d be a Ranunculus

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If I were a kind of weather, I’d be a warm summer rain
If I were a musical instrument, I’d be a drum
If I were a color, I’d be Queen Anne's Lace
If I were an emotion, I’d be childlike wonder
If I were a fruit, I’d be wild blueberry
If I were a sound, I’d be whispered giggles
If I were an element, I’d be Earth
If I were a car, I’d be Jeep Wrangler
If I were a food, I’d be peanut butter
If I were a place, I’d be a wildlife preserve

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If I were a material, I’d be glass
If I were a taste, I’d taste like butterscotch
If I were a scent, I’d be lemon fresh
If I were an animal, I’d be a bird
If I were an object, I’d be a windchime
If I were a body part, I’d be eyes
If I were a song, I’d be You and Me by Dave Matthews
If I were a pair of shoes, I’d be flip flops
If I were an item of clothing, I'd be well worn pair of jeans

If I were a facial expression, I’d be joy

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seven year itch | family room inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 18:07:00 +0000

We've been in our current home for about 7 years or so. Much of our furniture is closer to 10 years old but sadly it is drooping and fraying and really looking more like twice it's age.
Sshhhh....don't tell my couch I said that, it has served us well and I wouldn't want to part on bad terms ;)
However there's no denying that the itch has begun to freshen everything up with a new look so I thought I'd share our inspirations with all of you!

The only hurdle is exactly which family room I will be making over ;) For any new readers out there, we are in the process of trying to sell our home and move to a smaller home in the country. It has been a roller coaster of an experience but it will be ending soon ~~come hell or high water~~! So the question remains, will I be remodeling our current family room or one in a new house?
Your guess is as good as mine....stay tuned!

Either way this is the color scheme I will be working from, although our wood choices will probably lean more towards darker tones. Thanks again Pinterest! Seriously, I don't know how I ever decorated our home before without it!?! (You can follow me here)

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We actually picked out a slightly more bluish gray for the walls...Rocky Mountain Sky from Behr. Below is an example of the look I hope to be incorporating, including pieces from some of my favorite stores....Target and IKEA....can I get an AMEN!!!

1. IKEA Hemnes Coffee Table
2. Target Slipper Chair
3. IKEA Ektorp Sofa
4. Amazon Natural Storage Bin
5. Amazon Metro Rug
6. Target Ruffle Shear
7. Amazon Barnwood Trunk
8. Amazon Chevron Accent Pillow
9. Amazon Silver Serving Tray

I can't wait to get started!
Do any of these pieces strike your fancy?

Don't miss the in-between

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 15:30:00 +0000

There are so many things I want to do and accomplish with my life. My list is soooo long.

Take more pictures
Join a church group
Blog more
Exercise
Volunteer
Redecorate the house
Visit family
Plan a girls night out with friends
Eat right
Keep a clean house
Do art projects with the kiddos on a regular basis
Cook one new recipe a week
Organize

I could go on and on...and on and on and on...you feel me?

I like to consider myself a ~~emotionally dynamic~~ passionate person :) I get frustrated easily but I also get inspired and fired up quickly for things that matter to me. This usually leads to frustration that I can't DO all of these things Right. Now. But I think about them alot. Maybe more than I should.

Does this happen to you?

We are so caught up in our busy busy busy that we forget to stop and just breathe. Stop obsessing. Life is still happening and we aren't even fully present in it because we are always so focused on the future and all the things we want to accomplish with this precious life. But I don't want to forget to live it and I bet you don't either. I encourage you to find some small ways to be more present in your day.

Take a slow inhale of your morning coffee/tea
Look people in the eye when they're talking to you (I'm so guilty of this even with my kids sometimes!)
Get off your smart phone...take a brief walk
Hug someone
Lift your face to the sun and feel the warmth it provides
Chew your food slowly and really taste it
Listen to music

What are some small ways you can find to be present in the in-between?