“….there are three dimensions of the Christian life that the Scriptures are concerned about–the good, the true, and the beautiful. Yet we tend to cut off the third from the other two…rarely do we find a focus on the beautiful…..”
“….the Scriptures speak about the beauty of God. His Word tells us that all things beautiful find their source and foundation in the character of God Himself. So, God is ultimately the norm of the good, the norm of the true, and the norm of the beautiful.”
“Ever since the people of God have existed in community, art has been a significant concern. When we go to the Old Testament, for example, we see there that the first people filled with the Holy Ghost were the artisans and craftsman that God selected to prepare the objects for the tabernacle.”
“…….God saw art and what it communicates as being important enough to include in His tabernacle—to include the beautiful where people would meet to worship Him. Beauty is important to God because He is beautiful, and so what is beautiful must be of importance to His people as well. Christian artists should be encouraged to create beautiful art, and Christian people should be encouraged to appreciate the beautiful alongside the true and the good, for the Lord Himself is beautiful.”
“Our Beautiful God”, article in Tabletalk magazine by R.C. Sproul
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Although I am not an artist, I have an hungry eye for beauty. I suppose this is the reason I like carrying my camera around in capturing some of the loveliness in the world around me.
As I wrote in the last post, I have lost a ring that is precious to me. It haven’t been found yet, but in looking for it I have done a lot of cleaning in rather neglected corners of my home.
I have been forced to take the time to thoughtfully clean and dust and rearrange the things we have in our home, and as a result, it has been a surprising blessing in losing my ring that my eyes have been opened to the beauty of home-life again.
There is so much beauty in ordinary life. A well made bed, children playing games, toys lying about, animals curled up in surprising locations, food lovingly prepared, candles lit, pretty dishes, quiet music playing, blankets ready to be snuggled in, piles of books, the children’s school papers and art, clean floors, the smell of fresh laundry, and the glow of sunlight through a clean window.
Indeed, just give me one clean and washed counter and I’ll be happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“We must have beauty around us to make us good.” M.E.W. Sherwood
I made myself lunch yesterday. It was broccoli and red pepper stir fried with a minced clove of garlic and sliced mushrooms. After the vegetables were done, I removed them from the skillet and scrambled two eggs. Topped with shredded parmesan and pepper.
Yesterday’s supper. It was well received by all except Caleb and Seth.
For dessert, a frozen fruit salad. 3 cups fresh whipped cream and a 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk (folded together gently). Add 14 oz drained crushed pineapple, 2 cups sliced strawberries, and 3 sliced bananas. Freeze until firm. Very much like homemade ice cream, with no churning.
Art by David; painted on silk at school. It looks so pretty propped up in the window.
A game of Memory right before the bus came this morning. Caleb won.
Beautiful snow sprinkles and a beautiful smile.
This morning’s sun, coming up over the trees wan and cloud covered.
Jacob’s art ~ calligraphy
Tree painting by Jacob, wooden shelf made by Ethan, candlelight, old books, and football trophies.
More paintings by Jacob.
I pinned the crocheted doily on the basket with straight pins…I think it looks so pretty.
Valentine roses.
Tips from Alexandra Stoddard on creating a Beautiful Home:
* Every day can be a memorable celebration. Use your favorite dishes, napkins, and accessories to brighten up daily mealtimes.
*Always have something growing in your rooms, even if it is a modest basket arrangement of flowers from the garden.
*Clean windows are like a cloudless day.
*If you’re short on closet space, use a beautiful pine armoire, which also adds height and a focal point to the room.
* Because we spend more than a third of our lives in bed, collect a wardrobe for your bed: Invest in a variety of different sets of sheets, pillow shams, and blanket covers and an assortment of colorful patterned baby pillows and neck rolls. (I bought linen sheets this winter and Rich said they were the best thing I’ve ever purchased besides his wedding ring.)
*Seek freshness and lightness
*Make every room a living room.
(from the book, Creating a Beautiful Home)
“It never occurred to me until I had this house to take a vacation and stay home.” Bill Robinson
“The homeliest tasks get beautiful if loving hands do them.” Louisa May Alcott
How about you? Do you have any special tips or ideas in beautifying the surroundings you live in? (from your own experience, a book, or someone you admire?)
Good to be Home 
Such a lovely, warm, beautiful post. You are a blessing to share this cozy part of your life. I have quite a collection of linens…ones I have collected and inherited over the years. I love to change things up with them on the tables, especially the dining table. My favorites are the colorful vintage floral ones.
Hugs to you my friend.
I am loving my”plant corner”during this long,cold winter.I don’t really have a green thumb,so I am happy they are all still thriving!There is something about flowers and plants that lift your spirits and brighten your home.
My Mom, her sisters, & my grandma, all had (and still have, except Grandma who has passed away) a lot of houseplants. What are you favorites? They are fun to take care of. My orchid is sending out a new branch with buds, I can’t wait to see it bloom.
Such a lovely post! I also enjoyed reading that book. I say lots of plants or flowers throughout. If you are a lover of your grandmother’s things, use them. Her lace tablecloth sits on my table, her dishes are in my hutch, her vintage sugar tin holds my tea. I could go on.:) candles are great anytime.
Decorate with what you love.:) I’m interested to read what others say:) christina
That’s a great idea about bringing out Grandma’s things and using them. I have some of Rich’s grandmothers dishes and I use them during holidays. We think of her and smile. Thank you for the inspiration. 🙂
I love Alexandra Stoddard’s books and reread them when I need some inspiration. I just read the book The Nesting Place: It Doesn’t Have to be Perfect to be Beautiful and it is a lovely and inspiring book. I try to find something from nature in every season to add beauty to my home: a bowl of pinecones, holly, branches, acorns, etc… I recently covered an old stool with a nubby old sweater. It’s quite cozy looking for winter. It’s fun to “play” and beautify our homes, isn’t it? Of course, sometimes I forget that and allow clutter to pile up and feel discouraged by my surroundings, but I find changing things around (a basket here, a blanket there, or even a chair) adds new breath to a room and recharges me. “Shopping my own house” is a cheap way to add some change without adding something new to the mix. I like the doily on your basket. So pretty! Thanks for your sweet posts! I love them! Blessings ~Maria
I like what you said about changing up the house by “shopping it” and rearranging things. Great tip! The counter I took a picture of yesterday is back to being somewhat messy, but I’m determined to see the beauty in the mess.
Lovely post as always. :-). My favorite thing in our house right now is a gallery wall filled with old pictures of family. We did all the same color of picture frame so that the color in the pictures would really pop out. It’s the wall on our staircase so every time I walk up the stairs, I’m reminded of where I come from and of my loved ones. It’s also a great reminder to live each day fully, as many of the relatives on our wall have already completed their time on earth and are now in heaven with Jesus. Their spirit lives on in me each time I pause to look at their pictures and remember them.