“In thine own ways, O God of love,
We wait the visits of thy grace.”
Rich was away from Tuesday to Friday last week, he worked from home on Friday and he took the picture of me….I love it because I think it’s sweet how my body reacts to him being gone and then back home. When he is gone, God gives me extra strength and energy to take care of things, almost like a caffeine rush. When he returns, it’s amazing how I completely relax. When he took the picture, I was outside on the porch watching Sarah Joy play, and could hardly keep my eyes open, I was so sleepy. Like a contented cat in a sunbeam, is how I feel, when my husband is near.
(Ethan, 15, and Jacob, 16, my fine young teenagers)
Our new addition is almost done, so close to being done that I’m full of joy with the prospect of decorating it, and moving in. We are just about there, my friends. We have a fire place! Rich is a man’s man through and through, but I can see the little boy in him as he sets about building his woodpile and carrying in the logs. He’s so cute when he carries in the logs. He had a delivery of them (trees, practically) unloaded on the lawn (which is now going to sit there and make me nervous until it’s chopped, because I’m afraid the children will climb on them and make them roll down and flatten someone) and I used the beauty of the *dangerous* logs as a backdrop to take a couple of pictures. Pictures? But of course!
Grace is adorable even when her hair blows across her face, and can it be that she will turn 14 soon? Yes, in just a couple weeks.
She is wise beyond her years and brave, too. She’s adjusting so well to High School, I am very proud of her. Thankful.
Rich had enough of a woodpile already chopped up and ready, so he built our first fire this weekend. There was just enough chill in the air to make it worthwhile.
It was a moment. We loved the feel of the heat and can picture ourselves sitting in front of it in rocking chairs (seriously, they are on order!), toasting. The fire cracks and sizzles, the smoky smell is like fine perfume of a different sort. Oh we love it.
Every creature the house loves it.
On the other side of the room, I have a new hutch! It’s the perfect and most beautiful piece of furniture to display *some of* my fiestaware collection. Our table is to the left of the fireplace, on the side of the room.
Once the room is complete I will share pictures of every angle. We still need trim, a mantle on the fireplace, curtains, doors, etc.
I love that God’s will for me is to turn my house into a home, and make it into a sweet place of love and warmth for family and friends. I pray that His presence will be felt here. “A new addition” could never mean as much to me as the fellowship we hope to have within it’s walls.
Dear Savior, let thy beauties be
My soul’s eternal food;
And grace command my heart away,
From all created good.
Have a wonderful afternoon, friends.
You are loved.
Good to be Home 
The fireplace is absolutely beautiful, and so is your family.
hi shanda…….I haven’t commented on your new blog yet, but of course I’ve been reading it every day! it’s so rewarding to see your remodel progress. love the big fireplace! can’t wait to see the finished room and all the good memories you’ll have there. sending a big hug along to you today……..your friend, connie
wow! I can’t wait to see the other pictures of your room! What I see now is beautiful!! Love it! How cozy!
What a beautiful fire place! And wood floors…. oh mercy! Yes, the home is a place to make wonderful memories! Id also love to see the rest of your house!
Your kids are close to mine in age. 23,19,almost 18, almost 13, 15, and 9. Everyone looks happy:)
thanks for sharing!
christina
You have a sweet husband. 🙂
I was just telling my husband how having him at home makes everything all better. I love the way he makes things complete.
I LOVE your new room! Can’t wait to see more pictures. I also love that smokey smell…it is a perfume of sorts. We heat our home with a wood stove, but the boss hasn’t let us light one yet. The weather is getting pretty chilly, so soon, very soon I’m sure it will happen.
Also..are you off of facebook permanently?
Hey Liz, I don’t think I am off FB permanently. But I won’t be back on it any time soon. 🙂
I was just wondering because a bunch of us girls that used to be on xanga together formed a little group and we all chat and answer blogging questions and really…just chat a lot. We would love to invite you to join!!!…So let me know when you’re back on. 😉
Okay, I will let you know if I get back on. You ALMOST tempt me to do it! I feel like I’m missing something very special. Let me know if anyone shares anything I should know! 🙂
Looks wonderful!!!
The addition looks beautiful already and I love the hutch! We had a wood burning fireplace in the other house and it was so cozy and fun! Its gas in this one so not quite the same:)
I adore what you’ve done with your home! I just love it!
Lovely, cozy post as always. I found this quote today and thought you might enjoy it. So applicable for your life at home, on the front porch and with the sounds of nature 🙂
“Nowadays, people are so jeezled up. If they took some chamomile tea and spent more time rocking on the porch in the evening listening to the liquid song of the hermit thrush, they might enjoy life more.” – Tasha Tudor
OH thank you, the best sort of comment with a lovely Tasha quote. I’ve read that one before but I am writing it down this time, it was like a gift to hear it from you today. I’ve been drinking hot tea before bed now that it’s gotten a little chilly here!
Thanks so much Shanda! Glad that you enjoyed the quote. Blessings to you on this beautiful fall day.
My month has been CRAZY and I feel so far behind in blogs… But your title grabbed me and my heart did a happy skip, because I LOVE those first-fire days!! There is something about that atmosphere is that just so cozy and love-producing! 🙂 And your home is beautiful!! Wow, you have been working so so hard!
Oh, I’ve been missing you on Xanga ~ good to see your posts ~ 🙂 Come on over and say hi when you have a minute ~ 🙂
The addition looks so beautiful Shanda! That fireplace looks like the perfect place to curl up in front of and enjoy a winter evening. I love seeing all the warm, homey details you so thoughtfully put in your home. Grace will be 14?! She is turning into such a lovely young lady! Have a wonderful week my friend!
Oh how lovely your room is turning out. That fireplace is beautiful, and so cozy. We just had our first fire of the year from some pine wood Bob cut when doing trimming up at his parents house ( he and his brother own the property still and rent it out), so it had that wonderful smokey fire smell.