Learning...

Learn to like what doesn't cost much.

Learn to like reading, conversation, and music.

Learn to like plain food, plain service, plain cooking.

 Learn to like fields, trees, brooks, hiking, rowing, climbing hills. 

Learn to like people,

even though some of them may be different,

different from you.

Learn to like to work and enjoy the satisfaction of doing your job as well as it can be done.

 

 Learn to like the sounds of birds, the companionship of dogs.

 

 Learn to like gardening, puttering around the house and fixing things.

 Learn to like the sunrise and sunset,

 the beating of rain on the roof and windows,

 and the gentle fall of snow on a winter's day.

Learn to keep your wants simple

and refuse to be controlled by the likes and dislikes of others.

-Lowell Bennion

____________________________________________________________

I enjoyed walking around the house last weekend with my hipstomatic app so much that I did it again today.  I was reminded of this poem by Lowell Bennion that my friend emailed me a couple of weeks ago.

I am in the midst of dreaming and scheming of a bigger house.  In many ways our large family has outgrown our home, and at some point in the next couple of years I'd like to get a bigger house with a little land.

But sometimes dreaming and scheming can bring me out of a state of contentment.  Walking around taking little snapshots of our warm and cozy home brought me back to the realization of where we are right now...

So even though two of my babies got the flu (again) this weekend, and I have spent most of the day laundering sheets, blankets, and carpets, God never fails to remind me how good we have it.

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalms 136:1-3)

I hope you had a blessed weekend!
xo,
Chrissie

Linking up here, which I love:

Around the House this Weekend

I'm probably the last person with an iphone to learn about the hipstomatic app.
If you have an iphone, pay the 99 cents for it.
It makes me look at everything in a whole new light!

Have a lovely Monday friends!
xo,
Chrissie

Surrender

I am so enjoying this little exercise of mine.
I've started tagging them Inspirational Postcards, because I'm thinking of making a set of postcards out of them for my somewhere-in-the-new-future-etsyshop-update.
I've gotten a lot of quilting done, but this weekend we are beaching it with the family.  I'll be back soon to show you some new stuff.
Have a great weekend!
xo,
Chrissie

Hope

You Matter

I was inspired by this new-to-me blog. 
I'm cutting out lots of letters, and playing with the placement in unusual places...just something different and fun.  I'm going to post them over the next few days.
Feel free to join me if you'd like.:)
xo,
Chrissie

Sunshine

It's a yucky gray Saturday, but I was able to catch a few pictures yesterday when it was a sunshine day. My little Sunshine loves to have her picture taken.

Still working on my skills. Most of the time I am set in no flash. I try messing with Manuel settings. Sometimes I get lucky, most of the time not.

I've been scouring a little town for cool shoot areas. I found this rusted door yesterday in front of an old antique store. I love the texture.

Do you remember being almost four years old? Some days I wish I could freeze her just like this. She is just so much fun right now. But I also look forward to seeing her this time next year. I love all my boys so much, and I'm so glad I have a girl too!:)

I think one girl is just enough for me...

I hope your weekend is full of sunshine...even if it's dreary outside there is much joy to be found.

xo,

Chrissie

365

Looks like I'm not the only one doing this... :)
Head over here if you want to see my new photo blog.
One picture a day for 365 days. I'm excited to learn a lot of new things and journal my day-to-day with photos.
The set up is a little too simple for me right now but I'll be working on that too!:)
(...and now I can cross off #11!)

Happy Weekend Friends...
I'll be back Monday with my first art project of the new year!