worth reading.

This book just went on my list to read: A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman.

The first thing we know about God is that he made art. The first the we know about people is we were made in the image of an art-making God.

Now when I read quotes like this:If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough! I am still inspired, but I also now know the size of our dreaming isn’t the point.

The size of our God is.

Christ’s pursuit of me is more important than my pursuit of anything else.

I don’t care if you’re the President or the janitor – your ability to bring glory to God by simply being the person you fully are and embracing the job you’ve been given to do is a uniquely human privilege.

Christ is in you and he wants to come out through you in a way he won’t come out through anyone else. You have been given your two hands, your sick parents, your rotting back door. You have been given your extra deadlines, your diagnosis, the children at your table.

But you have also been given your sense of humor, your skill for writing, your passion to bring light to dark places. You have been given a heart for orphans, for animals, for food or for the poor.

You have been given your life, what you hold in your hands, the ground beneath your feet. You have been asked to show up. How do I know? Because you were born. Show up as you are, not as you think you ought to be.

Don’t run from your calling, no matter what it is.

If you don’t know what it is? Maybe this book will help you uncover it.

There isn’t one great thing you were made to do. There is one great God you were made to glorify.

Throughout your life, you’ll do that in a million little ways.

~ a million little ways, Chatting at the Sky

bedroom ideas.

After finishing the board and batten wall treatment in the dining room, I dived right into working on the master bedroom. Usually I like to break up the big projects with smaller ones, but this time I was motivated. I wanted to take advantage of that, so I pulled all the furniture in to the middle of the room and started taping. It's still in process (everything around here takes forever), so while I work on it, I thought I'd share some of my ideas for the room.

I love the look of wood planked walls, so I'm experimenting a little with something that looks kind of like this:

[Source via Pinterest]

I'm also planning to build my own headboard. I'm thinking about something kind of like this, using these plans:

[Source via Pinterest]

I want to include some kind of phrase on it, something like this:

[Source via Pinterest]

I'll also need to repaint my nightstand, because I don't think the existing color will work with the new wall color. My old dresser could use a new coat of paint, as well, since it's gotten a little beaten up with all the moves in the last year. The closet has sliding doors, which I hate, so I'm thinking about creative ways to replace those.

Overall, the bedroom isn't tiny (especially compared to the bedrooms upstairs), but it isn't very big, either. One wall has a door in from the hallway and the closet, two walls have single windows, and one wall is empty (though this is the wall the door opens against, so that limits the amount of usable space). I don't want to place my bed against a window, because the headboard I want to make will block part of it, and because the scale of the 3-foot window would look odd against my queen-size bed. This leaves the blank wall for the bed. After leaving room for the door to open, it would be difficult to fit the bed and two nightstands along the wall, so I'm thinking about placing a small shelf and maybe a wall basket on the other side of the bed. Neither of these photos are really my style at all, but you get the idea.

[Source (both) via Pinterest (left and right)]

So, lots of plans for this room! Right now I've got the first coat of paint on the wall, and the planked wall is in process. Hopefully I've have a reveal photo (at least of the wall) soon.

diy wall art inspiration.

I finally finished painting my living room this weekend (it's been sitting half-finished for a few weeks while other things took precedence). The thing is, I know how much of a difference paint makes, that it is one thing you can do that can completely transform the look of a room. I know this, and even still as I sit on my sofa floating in the middle of the floor, with the rest of the room in absolute chaos to make room for the painting, I'm still amazed and how much more put-together everything looks.

There is still a lot of work to be done - including painting the trim, hopefully in the next few days - but having fully-painted walls makes me want to start thinking about some of the things I want to put on the walls. In particular, I've got two large sections of wall that I want to fill - the wall above the fireplace mantle, and the wall straight in front of you when you enter the room.

Here are some of the large-scale wall art ideas that I've been collecting (from my things to make board on Pinterest):

This is one of my favorites, from The Lettered Cottage. I'm such a huge fan of using words in my house - maybe a set of family rules, or words from a favorite verse or poem. Plus, I like creating things with wood, especially inexpensive pieces.

[Source via Pinterest (exact link unavailable)]

I also like this variation, and could see it with a map or even large flowers.

[Source via Pinterest]

This next idea was created using a drop cloth - an inexpensive way to make a big impact and another way to use words.

[Source via Pinterest]

I keep thinking about this one, and I might just go out and buy the stuff to make it sooner. I think it would look great above the fireplace, and could kind of serve as a backdrop to other things.

[Source via Pinterest]

I've pinned a ton of ideas with maps and map outlines, so I'm thinking at some point I need to create something with one. This one would be pretty time consuming but could look really fantastic.

[Source via Pinterest]

office space inspiration

I've been thinking about office spaces lately, since I'm almost ready to move my work set-up from my dining room table in its more permanent place in the living room. The desk I built is done and just waiting to be moved into place, and then I'll take photos and write up a post just about that.

In the meantime, I've been collecting some ideas on Pinterest. These are some of my favorites.

One thing I know I want is a big inspiration board on the wall above the desk. I love the idea of using something unique, like a crib spring:

[Source via Pinterest]

If I can't find something like that, there is a old corkboard in the basement (left by the previous homeowners) that's pretty beat up, but should work. I'm thinking of painting the cork or covering it in fabric, then adding a chunky frame. Something kind of like this:

[Source via Pinterest] 

I use a desktop computer and two monitors for work, plus the accompanying mouse and keyboard. I love the idea of using something like this to help hide the cords:

[Source: Pinterest] 

In addition to the monitors that will sit on top the desk, I'm also looking for something that can corral random papers (until they are properly dealt with or filed) and a few office supplies. Maybe a tray like one of these two:

[Source via Pinterest]

[Source via Pinterest]

There are lots of other ideas rattling around in my head, too - ways to store chargers and other cords, a designated place for laptops (due to work, I have several). In the meantime, though - I'm just looking forward to setting up the desk and getting my dining room table back.

bathroom inspiration.

The very first room I wanted to tackle in my new house was the bathroom. These are the photos from the inspection:

Notice the door laying there on the floor? This house was an estate sale, and the previous owners were handicapped, so nearly all the interior doors had been removed from their frames. Hanging the bathroom door (for the obvious privacy reasons) was one of my first priorities on moving day.

The bathroom also has a walk-in (handicap) shower. It was not installed neatly (lots of messy caulk) and the showerhead is broken, which makes taking a shower a little complicated. This bathroom has the only shower in the house (the upstairs bathroom has a bathtub only), so that's why this jumped to the top of the list.

There are a lot of other things I want to change in the room. The floor and half the walls are covered in a dated, pink-speckled tile, and the upper half of the walls and ceiling are masonite panels (which can be primed and painted, but there would still be seams between the panels). The medicine cabinet is in really rough shape, and the combination light/fan is ugly and very noisy.

Since changing all of this means essentially gutting the bathroom, I'm planning to do it all at once. I started calling around for estimates and gathering bathroom inspiration using Pinterest (I think I'm addicted). Here are some of my favorites:

[pinned via here]

[pinned via here]

[pinned via here]

[pinned via here]

It will take some time to complete, especially as I'm planning to tackle part of the work myself. I'll share progress as we go along.

sunday inspiration.

-- 1 --

I'm not a scrapbooker, but I love this idea from Positively Splendid for a mini album made from paint chip cards:

(Source: Positively Splendid)

-- 2 --

This is such a simple and straightforward woodworking project - I'm thinking about making one for my bathroom, even though I rarely take baths, but just for the extra shelf space.

(Source: ReadyMade)

-- 3 --

Seriously, how cute is this test tube spice rack? I love the idea. The only thing I'm wondering - you have the store the rest of the spices, somewhere, right?

(Source: Dream Book Design)

-- 4 --

My sister and I saw a colored pencil frame like this in a store downtown over Christmas, and I immediately thought I can make that! I took a picture with my phone, then looked up a photo online to save in my inspiration files. There's a good tutorial here.

(Source: Paper Source)

homemade inspiration.

I've been working all month on Christmas gifts, but I haven't been able to post photos of them until I give them away in a few days. I've scheduled a few posts for after Christmas, but in the meantime, here are a few of the ideas I've been saving for the future.

(Sources, clockwise from top left: The Lettered Cottage, Under The Table And Dreaming,

I Heart Naptime w/ Chocolate Sundaes, Shanty2Chic, Katydid and Kid, Helping Little Hands)

Top left: This mirror would be a great, inexpensive way to fill up a large wall space.

Top center: How great is this sweater vase? Its made from a glass hurricane from the dollar store and the sleeve of an old sweater.

Top right: Another great photo display idea - from stained beadboard, a photo, foam board, and netting (I think ribbon would look great, too). I have a ton of leftover beadboard wallpaper from a Christmas gift I made - I wonder how that would take a stain?

Bottom right: I liked this wreath card holder so much I made one for me. I already had the scrapbook paper and clothespins on hand, so the only thing I bought was an embroidery hoop for less than $1.

Bottom center: Shanty2Chic always has the greatest photo display ideas! This one is made from a piece of a 2x8, wood finials, and a small clothespin.

Bottom left: I love these Nativity blocks, and I think, with paint pens, that it wouldn't be too hard to make a set. This might be a Christmas gift for next year.

sunday inspiration - christmas music.

This Sunday, I thought I'd share some of my favorite Christmas music. There are a lot of different songs in all kinds of different categories that I like (seriously, I should never be allowed to even walk by the Christmas music display at Target), but these are the whole CDs I find myself going back to over and over again.

-- 1 --

Behold The Lamb Of God, Andrew Peterson

Hands down, this is my favorite Christmas CD of all time (I've written about it twice before). Its the whole story of Jesus, from the time of Moses all the way through to Christ's birth. Its unlike any other Christmas CD I've ever heard before, and it never gets old. I can't even pick a favorite song - the only thing is seriously incredible. And the only thing better than listening to the CD is seeing it live in concert - its one of the highlights of Advent for me (there's a great review here).

-- 2 --

Peace On Earth, Casting Crowns

I love Christmas CDs that mix traditional songs with new ones, and this one does a great job of that. My favorite song is "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day." This is one of those songs I've heard so many times, but it wasn't until I heard Mark Hall talk about it that I actually listened to the words and really understood them. It reminds me of a poem by Anne Bradstreet, "Upon The Burning Of Our House," I read for a college lit class.

-- 3 --

Bring Us Peace, Ginny Owens

This is another CD that has a wonderful mix of old and new songs. The very first song, "Christmas All The Time," is about dreaming as a child that Christmas would last all year long - I was hooked from that point.

Oh to celebrate our Savior's birth

By giving to the world from the fullness of our lives

God's good gifts to me taught me how to see

It can be Christmas all the time

-- 4 --

The Polar Express soundtrack

The first half of this CD contains songs from the movie, all of which never fail to make me sing along in the car because they're just fun. The second half is full of secular classics, like "White Christmas" (nobody sings that song like Bing Crosby).

-- 5 --

Victoria Secret

This is an odd choice, I know, and I don't like the cover - but I love the mix of songs of this two-disc set (notice a theme here?). Tyler Hilton does my absolute favorite rendition of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," and Brian Setzer's "The Man With The Bag" and The Beach Boys' "Little Saint Nick" are just fun songs to sing along to. But my favorite song has to be "I Want An Alien For Christmas" by Fountains of Wayne:

-- 6 (a bonus) --

Christmas, Andy Gullahorn and Jill Phillips

This is a CD - I just picked it up at the Behold The Lamb Of God concert two days ago, but its rapidly becoming a favorite. Like the others on this list, there's a great mix of old and new songs, and their take on "Baby It's Cold Outside" (with new lyrics) is absolutely hilarious.

sunday inspiration - the christmas edition.

One of my life mottos is that its never too early to start thinking about Christmas (though even I was a little surprised to see a fully decorated tree at the entrance to Walmart a couple weeks ago).

-- 1 --

I love advent calendars - I think they're a great way to build up the anticipation of Christmas? And all the better when you can tie it into the real reason we celebrate. This version costs $299 at Pottery Barn, but it wouldn't be difficult to create the same thing for much less.

(Source: Pottery Barn)

-- 2 --

This is another great idea for an advent calendar, and a good reminder that Christmas decorations come in all kinds of colors. If I cared to sew, I would love to make one for my home - maybe I'll come up with a no-sew version.

(Source: Uncommon)

-- 3 --

I've seen a ton of different versions of subway art, but this Christmas one is great. I especially like the finish on it - its decoupaged onto wood, then distressed with a gel stain.

(Source: Saying It Sweet)

-- 4 --

These tinsel-filled ornaments are so simple, but can you imagine how great they would look on a tree with tons of Christmas lights?

(Source: Scrapalicious Bytes)

-- 5 --

These Christmas canvases just might be one of my favorite ideas - because they're so simple, and yet would be so easily adapted to lots of other looks. The four-part black and white combo is really cool.

(Source: the simpler life)

sunday inspiration.

-- 1 --

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a list of ideas on how to care for orphans. This wonderful list, from Rage Against the Minivan, is far more extensive, and lists a lot of specific organizations that are doing this kind of work.

-- 2 --

Can you imagine praying for discomfort? Actually asking for anger, tears, and foolishness? Read this Franciscan benediction (found via Michael Hyatt):

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
So that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them
And turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
Amen.

I honestly don't know if I have the courage to pray this. Do you?

-- 3 --

I love these creative gift packaging ideas from Scrapbooks, Etc (part of Better Homes and Gardens):

(Source: Embellish a six-pack holder or takeout box)

-- 4 --

I love this candle chandelier, but I'm wondering - wouldn't the candles potentially drip wax on the table? Or maybe on someone's head? Maybe if it had a glass on the bottom?

(Source: The Painted Home)

This idea is similar - I'm not sure which one I like more!

(Source: Junk Market Style)

-- 5 --

These little photo keychains are adorable, and look really easy to make. I'm thinking about creating a few for kids' Christmas gifts this year.

(Source: Do It Yourself Gifts)

sunday inspiration.

This week's inspiration post will be a mish-mash of the deeper, the practical, and the crafty. Because that's just where I am right now.

-- 1 --

When you've seen poverty, or suffering, or need, what next?

"I am terrified that now I have seen — I am responsible, and my response is pitiful. What in the world does it take to be radical? Give me that aisle!

I had written in my thank you card to Shaun on the way back to the airport, on our way back to our plush lives, 'I pray I fight the middle to my last breath.' "

~ Ann Voskamp,
When You're Dying to Live Radical: Fight the Middle Ground, from her blog A Holy Experience

-- 2 --

Amy and Brian from A Little Busy took a little-used corner in their hallway and turned it into a mini library with built-in bookshelves. I love the way they made this into usable space.

(Source: A Little Busy)

-- 3 --

Have you seen this? Wall art made from canvases, spray paint, and a doormat. I've seen the idea before, but I think this might be my favorite version.

(Source: Sprik Space)

-- 4 --

 
I think if I were buying my house again, and hadn't yet refinished the floors, I just might paint them all, especially in fun patterns like this:
 

(Source: Grams)

 

-- 5 --

 
I love these mirror frames made from old pallets. I especially like the layered look to the frames. I'm thinking about redoing this frame to use similar old, weathered and rustic wood.
 

(Source: Young House Love)

sunday inspiration - food.

Row 1, left to right:
Chicken Cacciatore with Rice from Hunt's Recipes
Peanut Butter Trifle from Just Sew Sassy
Pasta with Roasted Broccoli from Gina's Skinny Recipes
Eggplant Parmesan from Newly Woodwards
Caramel Sauce from The CooCoo Nest

Row 2:
Spanish Rice from Our Best Bites
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers from A Year of Slow Cooking
Summer Salad from Everyday Insanity
Phyllo Fruit Tart from Gina's Skinny Recipes
Chicken Potpie Empanadas from Real Simple

Row 3:
Chocolate Croissants from From Glitter to Gumdrops
Holiday Cheese Truffles from Beneath My Heart
Zucchini Pizza Bites from Gina's Skinny Recipes
Banana Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cookies from Inside BluCrew Life
Meatless Enchiladas from One Lovely Life via Life is Just a Bowl of Cherrys

sunday inspiration - creative photo displays.

More Sunday inspiration, this time with a theme - photo display.

-- 1 --

This popsicle stick photo puzzle would make such an adorable photo gift, and yet it would be so simple to make.

(source)

-- 2 --

I've been looking for just the right shutters so I can use this idea in my own home. Unfortunately, the only ones I've seen at thrift stores so far are plastic.

(source)

-- 3 --

This picture window project is one of the most creative photo displays I've seen.

(source)

-- 4 --

Wouldn't this ladder-turned-easel be a great way to store blankets as well?

(source)

-- 5 --

I love big chunky frames, and with beadboard all the better. This project would be simple enough to make with scraps of molding, or a combination of inexpensive frames from thrift stores.

(source)

tuesday inspiration.

Otherwise known as sunday inspiration, part 2.

A couple of days ago, I posted links to some of my favorite projects and ideas online. Today, because I don't have a lot of personal thoughts and inspiration to offer, I thought I'd point you towards some of my favorite things I've read recently, of a deeper nature.

-- 1 --

"But, the desire to live a life bigger than our house begins with our hearts. It’s about praying the big, scary prayers… asking the Spirit to guide you in the ways of courage instead of comfort...No matter what it looks like for you, you have to desire this kind of life."

~ Nish from The Outdoor Wife

It is so true that no matter what adventure you're called to, its something that you have to pursue intentionally. Its all too easy to be seduced by the comfortable things we know. Reading this post reminded me of that.

-- 2 --

"For me – for years – God had a third world address. He moved there after I went to El Salvador in 2005. And for years afterward I got on planes to meet Him and missed Him when I came back to the cul-de-sac again. Against the backdrop of the darkest poverty and out-in-the-open evil, His light and love was clearly visible. My spiritual eyes adjusted to the brilliance of His compassion streaming from every church and every servant I met in Uganda, Ethiopia, India, the Dominican Republic…But back home I couldn’t see a thing in these muddled middle tones."

~ Shaun Groves

Shaun writes about the mourning that takes place after you've experienced poverty, and about learning to see God in America. As I adjusted to being home, as I have been struggling to process the what-next part of going to Africa, this post was a beautiful reminder to me that God is here, too.

-- 3 --

"I don’t want this trip to savored and then slowly forgotten like a “life-changing” piece of pie. I want this trip to be a seed planted deep within my soul that with the proper care will bloom, grow, and bear beautiful fruit. I want this trip to be a recognizable turning point in my life. I want this trip to be a recognizable turning point in my heart."

~ Lindsey Nobles

Lindsey went to Guatemala on a Compassion Bloggers trip just a few days after I returned home from Africa. My soul resonates with the words she shares about those things we call life-changing - how can we really know if something was life-changing, until after we've seen if life was truly changed? I still think the bigger impact of my trip will be something that I won't understand until months, even years down the road.

-- 4 --

"Environments are more powerful than words, no matter how carefully those words are crafted."

~ Pete Wilson from WithoutWax.tv

This post on the importance of environments has been running in the back of my mind for the last two days. I'm wondering, are there places in my ministry where I've tried to inspire people (volunteers, parents, and kids) to something, only to throw up a roadblock?

-- 5 --

"Fear makes you settle. Fear puts limits on what God wants to do with your life. Fear “tricks you into living a boring life.”

~ Kim from Yellow Songbird, via Tiny Twig Goes Out on a Limb

Kim writes about taking a leap of faith to spend four months overseas teaching English. I love this reminder that our God is not a God of fear.

sunday night inspiration.

One of the benefits of committing to write something every day for a month is that I'm forcing myself to actually finish some of the half-formed post ideas I've had sitting around for a while. Its definitely a good thing, but...

I just got home from another busy weekend in Frederick, and between that craziness and the last week's worth of posts, I don't have much left to share tonight. Instead, check out inspiration from some other people.

-- 1 --

Some of my favorite blogs to read on a regular basis are doing a series of posts for October:

31 Days to a Less Messy Nest :: Nesting Place
31 Days of Grace :: Chatting at the Sky
31 Days to an Inspired Table :: My First Kitchen
31 Days of Living Simply :: Remodeling This Life
31 Days of Autumn Bliss :: The Inspired Room
31 Days to More. . .With Less :: Beauty and Bedlam
31 Days to a Better Photo :: My 3 Boybarians
31 Days to Stress Free Entertaining :: Reluctant Entertainer

-- 2 --

I made chicken and wild rice soup using this recipe earlier this week, and it was amazing - tasted just like Panera! This is definitely one that I'll be making again.

-- 3 --

Becki at Infarrantly Creative has amazing vision! Check out what she created out of a vintage TV cabinet.

-- 4 --

Love this - bed springs turned interactive art piece. The Lettered Cottage is still one of my favorite places on the web to visit.