Grand #14

While we're still waiting for Grandbaby #13 to arrive, 

I'm going to drop this right here . . . 

(The bow, that is.)


Yes, Kati and Andrew are also having a girl

and her name is 
ELEANOR GRACE !

More Antiquing

In my last post, I told you about my little road trip and a few of you wondered what I had purchased. Some of my readers enjoy hearing about our antique store adventures, so today I thought I'd show you my big and little finds from that day. 

Starting with the biggest purchase, the reason for my trip . . .

~ a pair of Nichols & Stone Windsor chairs ~

I stalked the ad on Facebook Marketplace for several months! We were busy with the holidays or we had company or the weather was bad or one of our vehicles was in the shop . . . always a reason not to go. But finally the time was right and the price was right (the price had been reduced over those weeks of stalking) and I went to have a look. 

The chairs are solid and sturdy, but, as they are antiques, there was some evidence of age and use. A little discoloration, a water ring, and what looked like some paint flecks and a smear. However, with a little elbow grease and some (non-orthodox) cleaning, they came out beautifully! 

Before . . . 

. . . and after.

The chairs are now in their temporary homes . . . one in our master bedroom (at the desk that is going to be replaced by a bookshelf), the other in the guest room (above).

We have plans to replace our kitchen island with a small table. We think it will be a better use of the space. A place for Ron and I to sit and have coffee or lunch, an inviting spot for someone to sit while I am cooking, or a small gathering space.  We really didn't want to get rid of the island because it is a sentimental piece, but Kati and Andrew are going to use it in their kitchen, so that feels right. The new Windsors will sit at the new table (they will be much more comfortable than the tall bar stools for us older folks) and I can't wait to see how it all comes together! 

Now I'll share some smaller finds from the antique store I visited . . .

~ rabbit cookie cutter ~

I dug through a bowl of cookie cutters for this little pop of spring!

~ floor lamp ~

I put this wrought iron floor lamp in the guest room to replace one that was wobbly and unstable.

The most special find of the day . . . 

~ spongeware pitcher ~

Last fall I had run an errand for my dad that had required a couple of trips to the town where my sister lives. When all was said and done, Daddy wanted to give me some money for my efforts. Despite my protest, he insisted, so I tucked it aside, determined to save it for something special.

I have been inspired by collections of spongeware that I have seen on Instagram, so when I came across this pitcher in the antique store, I knew that I had found that "something special." This is my gift from my Daddy. Isn't it lovely? 

One week later, my friend Barbara and I met up with Deanna for lunch. On our way home, Barbara and I stopped off at an antique shop and, believe it or not, neither of us bought a thing. That's the way with antiquing. Some days you find treasures; some days nothing. It's all part of the adventure! 

And sometimes the real treasure is not something that you can purchase. ❤

Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

Yesterday I woke to a message from my sister Linda (because she is up hours before I am) sending me a link to some albums she thought I'd enjoy on Spotify. It was the perfect day to listen to some new music (although it really wasn't "new" to me because I had enjoyed it in the 1990's 😊), because I was taking a little road trip to make a Marketplace purchase and would spend several hours alone in the car.

So I chose one of the albums (Hymns & Choruses Volume 3 by the Maranatha Singers) and never got any further because I have played it on repeat and it is playing as I type.

I can't tell you how much the words of these songs have ministered to my spirit. I have a lot of favorites! Linda's favorite is How Great Thou Art/Be Exalted O God, and I love that one. Ron loves He Giveth More Grace/He Is Our Peace and I love that one too. (I told you I have a lot of favorites.)

But one of the songs that really spoke to me is O God, Our Help in Ages Past/To Every Generation. The words echo those of my favorite psalm: Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses. The psalm begins like this . . .

Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

The idea of the Lord being our dwelling place captured my thoughts. He is the place where we live. He is our home. He is our safe place. He is our tower of refuge, our shelter. And, He has been the dwelling place in all generations. That is so reassuring to me! He is not just the dwelling place for the men and women of the Bible, not just for the early church, not only for our ancestors who loved God or for our grandparents and great-grandparents. Ron's mom passed away one year ago yesterday, and so she was on my mind as I drove and as I listened and sang. I am thankful that He was a dwelling place for her! But He has been the dwelling place in all generations. For me! For my children! For my grandchildren!

Sometimes we look around at our dark world and it can look scary. We had a dinnertime conversation recently about how very quickly our world (and the "church") has changed and now wholeheartedly accepts the same things that once brought shame. And yet, as dark as this world is, the Lord God Almighty remains a dwelling place today (in all generations) for all who put their trust in Him and enter His rest. I don't have to fear for my grandchildren who are born into this world of sin. Oh yes, I do have to pray for them, that they will see their sin and their need of Him and that they will walk with Him. But the fact that He remains the dwelling place, a shelter, has not changed "from everlasting to everlasting"!

O God, Our Help in Ages Past/To Every Generation

I was happy with my Marketplace purchase, and then I stopped at an antique store that I had not visited in some time and found a few treasures. But the real treasure yesterday was singing to the Lord, pondering deep truths, and having my spirit strengthened by those truths. 

. . . be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .  Ephesians 5:18b-20

I encourage you today to sing some psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs! Maybe you're not a fan of these 90's versions of the old hymns or choruses. That's okay! Just search for some music that you find beautiful, music that speaks words of truth, and let it sink into your heart.

"A Little Cutie" Is Coming Soon!

This past weekend, the ladies in our family gathered to celebrate the new baby girl due to arrive in a few weeks!

We began with brunch . . . because who doesn't love a good brunch with a mix of savories and sweets? There were scones (orange and chocolate chip), individual quiches Lorraines, a mixed green salad with mandarin sections, red onion, cucumber, and sugared pecans, a fruit salad with honey-lime dressing (made by my mom), and mini chocolate cupcakes with candied orange slices (made by Bekah). And, of course, a bowl of "cuties." 🍊

Here is our guest of honor, my daughter-in-law Sarah with her lovely daughters Nora, Baby K, and Eve. (Because of the laws regarding foster care, Baby K's face cannot be shown.) 

Kristin made (non-alcoholic) mimosas which were so refreshing.

Sarah with Bekah . . . 

. . . and with Kristin and her lovely daughters, Maddie, Macie, and Alaine. 

Kristin led us in a game in which we had to guess what baby items were inside of sealed paper bags. It was not as easy as it seemed! 

Sarah with Gammy (my mom, Sarah's grandmother-in-law, The Little Cutie's great-grandmother) . . .

. . . and with me, the proud and happy Gran! 

Then it was time for The Little Cutie to be showered with tokens of love from her family. 

Although Kati could not join us in person 😢, she sent ahead her tokens of love for Sarah and Baby Girl.

Five-year-old Macie was the "shower fairy," bringing over the gifts for Sarah to open.  

And now we wait for this sweet Baby Girl to arrive . . . soon! We are soooooo very excited to meet her and we thank the Lord that she is a part of our family! 

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:

and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Psalm 127:3