Modobject at Home

Just Ducky

2012-01-31T22:11:00.000-06:00

I was poking around in the thrift store one morning, while still pregnant with Sister, when I came across the most delightful appliqued vintage crib sheet. I took it home for the mere cost of 49 cents, smiling and knowing that eventually it would find a place in her room. It's taken me nearly two years to figure out exactly what I wanted to do with it, but a pillowcase for her little baby pillow has turned about to be just ducky. Sister says, "Quack!"

Everyday Grace

2012-01-30T14:09:00.002-06:00

We've recently added an extra measure of unpredictability to our days. Thankfully, it's only for a season. I'm finding comfort and rest in knowing that God perfectly orders each moment of each day according to His will. And that is where I find grace in the unpredictable, complicated moments.

Fruit in Him

2012-01-29T00:01:00.001-06:00

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. John 15:4-8

Six

2012-01-27T07:38:00.000-06:00

A Fresh Change

2012-01-25T20:34:00.000-06:00

It's time to pass my grandmother's rocking chair on to someone else. Later this year another great-grandchild will be rocked in it. Knowing that would make her happy. To replace it, our Eames fiberglass arm shell chair has found a new home in Sister's room. I like it with a quilt tossed over the arm.

Two Views of the Smith-Corona

2012-01-24T21:29:00.001-06:00

Heaven help us, we've had all manner of shuffling furniture and modobjects about this week. The professor has been busy plotting a furniture trade, and there have been other items pulled out to pass along to new owners. It always feels nice to open up a bit of attic space. One morning I spotted the old portable Smith-Corona typewriter sitting quietly in the corner, almost as if it were waiting patiently for something... anything. Seeing it there made me smile.

Grace for the Overwhelmed

2012-01-23T10:04:00.000-06:00

It's time for the teacher's appreciation luncheon at school. I'm in charge... and overwhelmed.

But, this is where I find grace...

My mother helps me plan the menu and grocery shop. She even cooks and chops all the chicken for me. I have a quiet Saturday afternoon to make the main dish ahead of time. Friends offer freezer space. Another friend offers to keep Sister the day of the luncheon. And, so many other mothers volunteer to help with the food and the serving.

Yes, this is grace. God tenderly and graciously provides while comforting my overwhelmed heart.

Rejoice in Him

2012-01-22T00:01:00.005-06:00

For our heart rejoices in Him,

because we trust in His holy name.

Psalm 33:21

Breakfast With Friends

2012-01-20T19:40:00.001-06:00

And, the birds joined us too!

The Birds and Me

2012-01-19T21:44:00.002-06:00

When the professor and I were first married we lived in a darling, old second floor flat in Columbus, Ohio. We loved that little apartment with its arched doorway and charming details. The creaky, hardwood floors and huge steel casement windows were drafty in winter. The inside of our windows used to ice over on really cold nights! I had never seen that before... and haven't since.
From our happy little nest we took our southern selves to visit exciting, new-to-us places like Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Wheeling, West Virginia, to Chicago, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. We explored our own city too, and scoured yard sales and visited junk stores. It was a simple, happy time.
We hung a bird feeder outside our dining room window and kept it full. The birds came often and we enjoyed watching them. The professor was always careful to place sunflower seeds on the windowsill, which the cardinals loved. I remembered that today when I was refilling the same old bird feeder we've always had. And so, I left some seeds on the sill once more {and Sister promptly came along behind me and started brushing them to the ground}. Perhaps in the morning the birds and squirrels will peak in at me and we'll have breakfast together just as we did in Ohio. I will have tea and toast and honey.

Sweet Five

2012-01-18T21:38:00.001-06:00

Tonight the professor and I discussed birthday gifts. He turns six next week. And, he's so excited. I feel wistful. I love five. And, I love him being five. While he savors chocolate ice cream cones I'm going to savor his fiveness, because it's just so very sweet.

Busy Little Hands

2012-01-17T21:57:00.000-06:00

Pegs in, pegs out... wax on, wax off. Battleship has kept her happily occupied for two days and counting! When she grows tired of fighting battles at sea there will always be dandelions to pick and Band-aids to unwrap. It is, after all, perfectly acceptable to accessorize with Hello Kitty bandages if you are 21 months old. Or, if you are the said tot's mother. Band-aids for everyone! That is her philosophy. {Insert wry smile here}.

Grace Upon Grace

2012-01-16T11:16:00.002-06:00

To be able to taste and see His goodness... to be transported by the view in wonder, love, and praise... to worship the Giver and not the gifts... this is grace upon grace.

Rest in Him

2012-01-15T00:01:00.010-06:00

And He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

Outside Looking In

2012-01-13T19:53:00.001-06:00

Cold night. It's nice to be on the inside.

Random Thursday Things

2012-01-12T21:58:00.000-06:00

I continue to be smitten with winter's gentle light. This morning was lovely for a few short hours before the gray clouds and drizzly rain arrived. The rest of the day was damp and bleak until right before dusk when the clouds opened and the world was bathed in sepia sunlight. I love when that happens.

Big Brother received a 3D paper model kit of the Chrysler Building for Christmas. He had fun putting it together a few weeks ago and then it haphazardly landed next to the Underwood No. 5 on the cubicles in the dining room. The longer it sits there the more we like its placement. Somehow it works... in a random, kitschy kind of way.

If you peak through the doorway into the office you can see the professor's new {old!} Louis Poulsen lamp. He was thrilled to inherit it from my dad a while back despite its being in pieces. While the lamp still needs some work, he has carefully put it back together for now. When we turn it on in the evenings it produces the softest, warmest lamp-light that you can imagine. Perfect for cozy, winter nights.

Contemplating Framing and Hanging

2012-01-11T19:56:00.010-06:00

The red rooster has reemerged after more than three years. It's about time. I still love him.

Feeling Puny

2012-01-10T21:44:00.000-06:00

She found my cozy couch corner. Smart girl.

Weekend Grace

2012-01-09T09:25:00.002-06:00

The children spend the weekend throwing up. He mops the floor and I soothe little ones; while we change bed sheets in the midnight dark he shines a flashlight. Together we cover the carpet with beach towels and place empty trashcans next to beds. Together we cycle the endless stream of laundry. Together... this is grace. When all is quiet we fall into bed. Everyone sleeps. This, too, is grace.

Life in Him

2012-01-08T00:01:00.004-06:00

In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.

John 1:4

Morning Feet

2012-01-06T19:16:00.001-06:00

Gifts Captured Today

2012-01-05T21:49:00.002-06:00

Something I'm reading: I am fully known.Something I'm making: Dinner bread. Bread and dinner to share.Something I'm seeing: Kitchen comforts. All three on a bench. His eyelashes. Her little self in a box.
This January name three gifts a day. Just three. His mercies are new every morning.Declare His love in the morning and His faithfulness by night. Rejoice in the bounty of the Lord!

Beware

2012-01-04T20:26:00.005-06:00

There's a bitty bear cub tromping about our winter woods.

Heartwarming

2012-01-03T22:20:00.003-06:00

It was a bitterly cold morning. I ventured out early to spend 3.5 hours sitting in Cracker Barrel chatting with Beth. We wrapped icy hands around thick, warm mugs, shared our heart-thoughts, and marveled at nearly thirteen years of friendship. Considering the miles between us, the life changes, and the little ones that we've added to our families along the way {my three + her six = nine!}... this is grace. Such a friendship warms my heart and encourages me as I walk.

Winter's House

2012-01-02T20:24:00.001-06:00

And, just like that, we boxed up the sparkle and shine of Christmas and shoved all of it in the attic. I've never really loved winter but recently I've decided that the mild ways and gentle light of our deep south winters quite agree with me. We've had such a pleasant mix of puttering and playing, outdoor tromping and hibernating lately that I can't help but love this season. The warmth and softness of flannel and house shoes and bodies cuddled together on the couch reading books is pure comfort. And so we enjoy afternoon cups of tea and ginger cookies while soft winter light filters quietly through the windows.