2018 Thanksgiving and New Thankful Box

This year, we celebrated Thanksgiving a couple of days late.  We had some company over again to join us.  When all the food was prepared, I was only focused on letting everyone know the meal was ready, so as to not let the food get cold.  I therefore completely forgot to take pictures.  It really is too bad because we went to the effort of labeling all of our dishes with pretty signs so that everyone would know what each dish was at first glance.  Thankfully, our guests thoroughly enjoyed the traditional Thanksgiving meal, and one of them took some pictures which I will share if they send them to us.  Our menu was:

• turkey
• goose
• cranberry sauce
• mashed potatoes
• loaded fauxtato casserole
• cornbread
• bacon garlic green beans
• dinner rolls
• gravy
• apple, lemon meringue, and pumpkin pies
• pumpkin cream cake

All of these were homemade from scratch.  I split up the meal preparation with our three eldest daughters, who happily prepared their dishes and got the house ready.

On a different day, as a family we opened up our Thankful Box to see what everyone had written down to be thankful for.  We needed a new box this year, and I finally got around to decorating it, or at least some of it.  I painted on Scripture verses, and a Pilgrim and Indian couple.  I began drawing on some leaves but didn't have the time to paint them yet.  It's not a very pretty box, but hopefully made prettier by a bit of decoration.  Lord willing, I will finish it before the next Thanksgiving comes around!

Below are some pictures of the (unfinished Thankful Box).  To see what this is and why we do it, click on the post above.  My wonderful husband read through our large stack of papers this year, commenting on each one of the Lord's goodness to us.  How thankful I am for a Godly husband!

I hope you all are doing well and enjoyed a day of giving thanks to the Lord for His goodness.

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Women are Blessed at Home

Home is a wonderful respite from the world.  It's a place to rest, to relax, to feel at peace.  It's a place to feel safe and sheltered from the world.  It's a place to make as close to Heaven as possible.

What a beautiful occupation the Lord has given us.  What a holy calling, to make our homes a bit like Heaven on earth.  What a joy to wake up every day and minister to our husbands and children here in the safety and security of home.

How the Lord cares for us in telling us to "be keepers at home" and to "guide the house".  We have a special calling that a man cannot and does not have!  It is to us women, and us only, that the Lord gave this task.

I feel so blessed to be able to be at home, taking care of it and all the occupants here.  Each day brings its new challenges, and sometimes surprises, but how wonderful when we can start our days in thanksgiving to God that we have a home here on this earth, and to ask the Lord for His help with the day ahead as we serve Him as we serve our families.

We can bless our families by making home a peaceful place.  We can play lovely music, read God's Word, have a pleasant and lovely voice and demeanor.  We can speak with kindness and smile at our husbands and children.  We can make our homes lovely with decor and keep them clean and tidy.  We can cook lovely meals for our families that also nourish their bodies.  We can train our children up in the ways of the Lord, teaching them to love Him with their whole hearts.  We can be a loving support to our husbands, giving them our appreciation and admiration, and of course taking care of the things at home is a great relief to them!

What a wonderful job we have, that we don't have to go out to work to bring home the living, nor do we have to deal with co-workers, time clocks, nor bosses.  We are very blessed, indeed, ladies.  Let us wake up with these thoughts in our minds every day!

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Easy Ways of Turning Your Bathroom into Heaven on Earth

Today we have a guest post by Catherine.

Unfortunately and unfairly, bathrooms are often neglected when it comes to interior design. People usually don’t spend a lot of time there, so they don’t see it as a place that needs to be specially decorated. However, there are tricks you can use to transform your bathroom from dull and drab to bold and beautiful. Take a look!

Mirror, mirror, on the wall

A bathroom is practically unthinkable without mirrors. They not only help you look flawless in the morning, but they also do wonders for your decor, especially if you choose a unique frame or shape. They’re great for small spaces because they have the ability to make them look bigger and more luxurious. And if you choose a full-wall mirror, you can even achieve that spa retreat experience.

 
Bring in the plants

Turning your home into an urban jungle is getting more and more popular and for a good reason. Plants not only provide you with some clean and fresh air but also bring some serious style to any space. Today, greenery can be found in just about every room in the house, including the bathroom. They will make your bathroom always feel fresh and stylish, and contribute to a super relaxing and peaceful atmosphere (just like in heaven). You can go as small or big as you want, from tiny hanging cacti to big and bold Monsteras and bamboo trees.

Bathroom fixtures and furniture

In order for your bathroom to be practical and comfy, it has to have appropriate elements, and the bathtub is probably the most important. If you want to be able to enjoy your heavenly bathroom, then you should consider investing in one of those luxury and comfortable baths that will offer you a one-of-a-kind spa experience. You also need some cabinets to make your space clean and clutter-free. Another beautiful trend right now is putting upholstered designer chairs and tables in the bathroom. Although it’s not the most common sight, it can turn a room that usually feels cold and impersonal into a real sanctuary. This creates a cute little hybrid between a bathroom and a dressing room, perfect for pampering and getting ready for work or going out.

Smart storage space

As mentioned above, a clutter-free bathroom equals a comfortable and beautiful bathroom, so you’ll definitely need enough storage space for all your products and trinkets. Vanities and cabinets are a well-known solution for this problem, but there are also super practical wicker baskets and different decorative chests and boxes. If you have problems storing your beautiful towels, consider getting a storage tower. It can store all of your linen and bathroom necessities while bringing visual interest to a neutral space. All of these smart storage solutions serve a double duty: they keep the bathroom tidy while making it look classy and stylish.

Play with fabrics and textures

When you think of comfort and luxury, you can’t help it but picture something soft and fluffy. Fill up your bathroom with inviting cotton towels, and don’t forget a nice soft floor mat. You can also mask those ugly nylon shower curtains with some colorful canvas or luxurious silk or satin. They will instantly drape your bathroom with glamor and style, turning any space into a lush retreat. But, because these materials are not water resistant, make sure you have sturdy curtain liners that will keep the fabric looking great. Another great way to introduce fabric and texture into your bathroom is wicker and fabric storage boxes. All of these elements will turn your bathroom into a welcoming, luxurious and comfy space.



As you can see, your bathroom doesn’t have to be just functional. It can also be a beautiful and intimate space where you can relax and unwind. All you need to do is be smart with fixtures, get some cute furniture and soon you’ll have a real heavenly retreat.

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5 Inexpensive Home Refurbishment Projects You Should Try

Guest Post by Ella

Home refurbishment doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. There are some things that can be done for a budget or low price to make some improvements on one's home. A person doesn't have to have a major income or fat budget to do some fixing up with their home. They just need to focus on doing some home improvements that they can afford and go on from there. There are home improvements that don't have to be all about the price tag. They can still be pretty nice upgrades in their own way to one's home.

What are 5 inexpensive home refurbishment projects you should try out? They are:

1. Painting a room or more than one room - Painting is something that always add not only new colour, but is also able to add a new look to any room that it is done in. Painting is one of the cheapest of all home refurbishment projects to tackle. Buying paint can also be a bargain, if a person shops around, and tries to get paint when it goes on sale or has a discount on it. In addition to that, if you work carefully, you don’t need to bother with builders clearance services afterwards.

2. Reface or refinish kitchen cabinets - Another project that doesn't cost a great deal is to make your kitchen cabinets look new and different, all with a little clearance service. This is something that can be done by doing a reface or refinish on them. What refacing of cabinets involves is making sure to leave the actual cabinet boxes in place. The only thing that is replaced are the cabinet doors. Wooden kitchen cabinets can be stripped of their old paint, varnished, and then applying new paint to them.

3. Upgrading some appliances - Another inexpensive in cost home refurbishment project is to upgrade some appliances in your home. These appliances can be in your kitchen or elsewhere in your home. Start off the upgrading process by purchasing just one energy efficient and Energy Star appliance. It doesn't matter if it is a microwave oven, food processor, stove, or anything else. You can sell the old one as part of some junk removal project to make money and gradually work towards your goal to replace all the others.




4.Tiling the bathroom - Tiling a small or moderate sized bathroom is another inexpensive home refurbishment project that can be done. The home owner can search and find discounted tiles to install themselves within the bathroom. The only consideration is that this is rather messy project and will likely require builders waste removal afterwards.

Flower up the entranceway to your home - Another awesome and beautifying type of inexpensive home refurbishment project is to add some attractive planters, nice lighting fixtures for the exterior, a hardwood bench or swing, and to line the walkways with a colourful border of perennial flowers or plants. Consider garden clearance to remove clutter and put the focus on your beautiful features.

Article granted by Ella A. on behalf of: wasteremovalbarnes.co.uk

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Beautifying the Home

Have you ever thought about how what we surround ourselves with affects us?  If we have a messy environment, we are more prone to feel bad.  On the contrary, if we surround ourselves with lovely and beautiful things, it lifts our spirits.  No matter where we live, we can surround ourselves with beauty.  It really is more of a mindset than how much money you have to purchase things.  Please join me at Raising Homemakers today where I talk about Beautifying the Home...

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Wall Decoration Tips and Tricks

 















 Guest Post by Ella

A lot of homes tend to have bare and boring walls with the occasional decoration thrown in, which makes them look more like a hospital or a dull government building rather than a living space where people reside. You should work on what your own vision for decorations demands, but it would still be a good idea to work on something unique that could borrow elements from other places. You should ask yourself some simple questions on the practicality of the decorations as well, so check the tips ahead to see how everything works with the coming projects:

You can use fabrics to make your walls look better and equally pleasing aesthetically. You may be surprised to find out that there are many things you can do to make the walls not only look better, but also make them far easier to deal with during home cleaning. Fabric can also be used as wallpaper, window dressing and more such as upholstery for furniture with wall elements. It can also be cleaned fairly easily during upholstery cleaning as well.

You can make use of a specific theme you can go with for the walls of your home or office. This will not only set the mood, but it will make things far easier when you have to setup the decorations on the rest of your walls. It is an important choice so make sure you plan ahead for this and try to combine your efforts with other family members. Making the right choices will make things much easier to handle while at the same time having your walls made for easy cleaning.

The color scheme will also play a very important role in what comes ahead. Your personal vision on how your areas should look will be kept, but do keep in mind that some colors will seriously affect the mood and may be far harder to deal with during house cleaning.

The use of photos and art will be one of your major tools when it comes to wall decorations, which would be an excellent way of handling the situation. If you want a better and more personalized look, then you will need to work harder on making it happen. Do try to use decorations sparingly, as the last thing you want to do is having a wall completely covered with them. This would make things a lot more difficult in terms of cleaning and dusting as well.

There are many ways you can experiment with the walls, but you should still ensure you work on everything around the room as well, allowing you to have a seamless blend of wall decorations and other decorations all around. Look for a suitable mix of elements to have a symmetrical or asymmetrical approach with a more personal touch. If you want to handle walls in different rooms you will need specific themes to go by, not to mention they will depend not only on purpose but on people who live or work there.

More cleaning tips read at: cleanerkingstonuponthames.co.uk


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DOs And Donts Of DIY Bathroom Renovation

Guest Post

A bathroom needs to be functional and practical, but also beautifully designed, having in mind that it is, among others, a place to relax. Mistakes made at the beginning of the renovation process will leave you with uncomfortable bathroom space for years. It is necessary to pay enough attention to the design of bathroom space, fitting details and storage space.

Make a plan

Before the renovation starts, it is important to make a plan in order to avoid the problems that renovation entails. The complete process of renovation can last anywhere from 10 to 14 days, so you will have to take the time off from your work and to adapt to usage of the other bathroom in your home, especially if your family is big.

Don’t buy inadequate furniture

The bathroom is a place where in a short period of time the temperature and humidity can significantly change. Therefore, it is important to use materials that are designed and manufactured to meet these requirements: water-resistant and pressed materials, properly treated wood, waterproof sealants, glass with appropriate characteristics, floor tiles that are not slippery.

 

Provide enough light and ventilation

In order to make your bathroom look bigger, make the window bigger, if you have one. The more natural light you have the bigger your bathroom will look. If you are not able to make the window bigger or there isn’t one; use artificial lighting and match the colours to imitate the natural light.

Choose the shower curtains wisely

The shower curtain visually reduces the space. To avoid this problem you can replace the shower curtain with a transparent glass shower. If this is not possible, a clear shower curtain will have less effect in reducing the space. Check out some more design ideas here.

Do sit in the bathtub before you buy it

Bigger is not always better. A bathtub length of 150 cm is quite sufficient for most people. It offers plenty of space to stretch out and to enjoy. Evaluate the slope for the back and support for the neck. A two-person bathtub needs to have slopes on both sides, and the tap should be in the middle. If you have enough room only for a small bathtub, buy as deep as you can find.

 

Don’t forget the storage space

You would not want to run from the shower to the closet in the other room just to get the towel. Bathroom furniture like closets and shelves allow you to store your towels, cosmetics, scented candles and even plants, easily. Beside this, bathroom furniture can be very decorative.

Consider water consumption

Bathrooms consume more water than any other room in the house; you should consider reducing the water usage, which will have a positive effect on your budget.

Showers with a smaller shower head often spend a lot less water than those with a bigger one. One of the biggest consumers of water in the household is the toilet. Older toilet models use up to 10 litres per flush. Today there are new models with two buttons, for lower and higher consumption. These systems deliver significant savings in water consumption.

Don’t overestimate yourself

If upon reading this, the task seems a bit daunting to do it yourself, you can seek advice from Sydney-based bathroom renovation experts. Consulting the architect or interior designer, prior to renovating the bathroom can be useful. They will help you with adequate positioning of sanitary facilities, bathroom furniture and other equipment.

Bathroom renovation is a slightly demanding task, but you shouldn’t be afraid of it if you have any previous experience in DIY projects. Sure, it might take you a bit more time if you decide to DIY, but as long as you plan ahead and evaluate your skills, there shouldn’t be any problems along the way.


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Christmas Home Decorations

Guest Post by Ella

When things come down to Christmas decorations, there is always room to make this an aesthetically pleasing and fun time you can enjoy. Christmas decorations will be a part of the whole ritualistic aspect of the holiday season, but you will need to be properly prepared if you want to make it happen without too much hassle. Nothing will give you a better sense of a job well done than seeing your decorations come together to create the perfect look for your home during the holiday season. Sometimes we have far too many things lying around, so it may be a good time to do some junk disposal or if you plan on moving out of a home around the holiday season – house clearance. Even without that however, you will still need to have some things moved around or out of your home to make room for holiday decorations. The following article will give you a couple of ideas for decorations you can use during that time to create the perfect look:

• Paper Snowflakes 

These are fairly easy to make, as they require fairly little work
to do and not much in terms of preparations. You can easily hang them from your windows, the Christmas tree itself or from the lights you may have around your home. All you really need for this one is some white paper and some scissors to make it happen. Take a square piece of paper and fold it in half twice diagonally to produce the base shape of what you’re looking for. The next step will require cutting some jagged shapes on the sides of the triangle you just made to create the amazing shapes you will have once you unfold the paper. It is a simple, yet easy and elegant solution to holiday decorations that works well.
 

• White Sock Snowmen 

These are some excellent and downright easy Christmas decorations you can make around your well-cleared home without too much hassle involved. All you need to do is get some tube socks and filling in the form of dry beans or rice, making sure they are about ¾ full. Then you can tie a rubber band around the waist of your brand new snowman and another one around its neck. Once that is done you may need to do some adjustments to get the right shape going, but in the end you will have it done in no time. Fill the head of the snowman with cotton, and then fold it toward the outside so it will look like he has a hat on. Next you will need a hot glue gun to put on some eyes with buttons. You can also draw a mouth on the snowman or gluing one made from felt. Alternately, if you don’t want to use a hot glue gun, then you can use superglue to do the same job, but be careful with it, as it will take a lot more work than it would with the hot glue. You can also sew the buttons on if you feel like doing so. Next come the arms, using sticks you can create them with ease. You can always add a bit more to it if you need to in the face of other, smaller details. Sugar cubes wrapped in cloth can make excellent small presents for example.
 
You may have to clean some items out before you move on with the actual decorations, so look ahead for opportunities to do so before the holiday season. A junk clearance company can give you a hand if you need it.

Read more tips: http://www.rubbishwaste.co.uk/wimbledon-rubbish-removal-SW20/waste-collection-wimbledon.html

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Painting and Choosing Colors for Your Bedroom

Guest Post

Are you contemplating changing the colour of your bedroom? A bedroom should represent a peaceful and relaxing area of the house as after all it is where you sleep and need to regain energy for the next day. When opting to decorate your bedroom you need to consider colour. It has to be calming and relaxing colour that will help you wind down at the end of the day. Today there is a wide range of colours in various shades to choose from. Most DIY stores have a good choice of paints and also plenty of ideas to copy. The main concern for a bedroom is to choose a nice and warm colour that leaves a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Make sure you paint a colour that is warm and tranquil. It is a good idea to have your accessories in a matching or contrasting colour. Make sure your lighting is also serene.

If you want more inspiration then take a look at the internet and Google ideas and easy ways to renovate you bedroom with paint. If you are not an expert do your research, it isn’t hard today to get hold of ideas and inspiration from others. If you don’t have enough money to hire an interior do it yourself, there are plenty of resources available to help in this type of work. Though it may not look as superior as using the experts it will sure enough look good and you can be proud you did it yourself. You can get hold of materials such as women and home and living magazines or read books on design and home improvements.

There is a lot of material around to give you tips and ideas to suit your home and lifestyle and budget. Do your home work before rushing into it. If you do your research you will find out how to get the best effect for a price within your means.

Painting is the fast and easy way of giving a face-lift to your bedroom. It is relatively simple to do as long as the walls are in good condition. Even if they are not you could invest in having a builder re plaster them and they will be great to paint for years. Painting is a fast and easy way on sprucing up your home anywhere. In the bedroom you need to be a little more thoughtful as you don’t want lively and vibrant colours overpowering the place.

Painting is easier than other ways of decorating. No more of the grueling scraping and the difficult task of wallpapering, paint can be changed in an instant relatively quickly. The choice is vast nowadays and with a little amount of preparation will be an easy solution to instantly improving the appearance of your room.

Make sure you get prepared with the right materials. Buy the adequate amount of paint and if you are not sure get advice from where you buy it from. Measure your room and ask for a precise calculation from where you buy the paint. You will need protective sheets to cover the furniture and carpets to protect form spillages.

Prepare the walls and other areas that need painting correctly. Often they just need sanding down Invest in good quality brushes, and rollers and trays to do the job. They can be used again and again if washed properly and stored in a dry place. Other techniques such as paint pads are also an option. Most hard ware stores will help offer advice on what suits you the best when painting your bedroom.

Obtain some more helpful tips for your home by visiting: rubbish- clearance Islington

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DIY Interior Design

Interior design - Color and texture as a basis for interior design

(Guest post)

When you are designing the way you want your home to look like on the inside, it is important to work thematically. Whilst no one wants a home that is too rigidly confined by a theme in it;s deign, you need to avoid having completely disparate designs through different rooms, as that will simply make the place feel a bit confused. So, in order to avoid both over and under thinking it, why not play with more subtle ideas for your basis of the house’s interior, and use that base as a jumping point from which you can differ the rooms. Here, have a think about how you can use similarities in color and texture or materials as a way to tie the rooms in the house together, without them being too obviously similar.

In terms of color, not every one wants their house to be the same color throughout, and that is not what is being suggested. In fact, it can be really nice to change things up as you move through the house, giving the place a bit of variety, and keeping things exciting. You will find however, that veering too hard form the palette will only leave the place looking a bit random. For instance, if one room is a taupe off white, and then the next is a shocking pink, then you will likely feel that the place has not been planned very well. However, if the net room was a moss green, in keeping with the earthy tones of the warm taupe color, then you would likely feel like it was a daring but well planned change in mood. So,consider your color choices in terms of their ‘feel’ rather than their differences, and ensure that the ‘feel’ of the house remains consistent, rather than the actual color remaining the same. That said, there is nothing against having one color throughout, though in many cases, dark colors for a whole house will feel a tad oppressive!

In terms of texture, you will need to think in a similar way as color, and in fact, you will want to think in conjunction with color, in order to ensure that the place feels like it flows correctly, rather than having a marked difference between each room. Using the same textures and materials throughout the house will feel boring or too uniform, but having wildly different feeling materials throughout will feel at odds with the flow of design. For instance, you may have a thick rug on a hard floor in one room, and having the place fully carpeted in a boring pile in the next will feel a bit strange. So, try to think about how you can align the two styles; a hessian weave matting will feel like the hardness of the room previously have been transferred in to the next, whilst retaining the full covering, perhaps that difference is one that makes more sense than the stark difference of the former option.

Essentially, keeping the themes of color and texture similar through the home will mean that you are able to ensure that the styles that you love can sit together without clashing. Putting a modern sofa next to an antique coffee table will only work if there is something that ties them together. Color and materials working together is something that makes this very doable, so think about working contrast and palette similarities in to the over view of your design in the home for the best effect possible.

More helpful tips for your household find here: floor cleaner Chiswick

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Simple Bedroom Decoration Tips

Guest post

 Our bedrooms are a place where we spend large amounts of time, whether sleeping or relaxing but unless they promote a certain feeling and emotion, they will not be as much fun to hang out in or relax. Decorations play a serious part in any household, but the bedroom holds a special place in a home. The following tips will give you more details you can use for decorations of said room in a simple, yet useful way:

·    Using a great number of pillows can not only create a comfortable bedroom, but also use their patterns to create a unique look. Geometric patterns, floral designs and prints can all become a part of the decoration efforts.

·    You can also have a great deal of fun with some artwork of your own to adorn your bedroom. Whether its a nice, graphic quilt that covers a wall made by you or simply extra pretty bed linens or something else that fits the overall mood of the room.

·    Another thing you must keep in mind is how you can use patterns to your advantage when you're doing the decorating. You can for example work a nice-looking printed bedspread, something floral or botanical in nature which makes it perfect for spring and summertime, allowing you to cover more of the surfaces there with something thematic for the season in question.

·    Accent pieces and prints can be of great help when you're working in the bedroom in terms of decorations. Whether its just a lampshade or a small statuette, the overall effect can be great if combined with something else that works on incorporating a certain theme.

·    You should also focus your efforts on the walls of the bedroom, as they need to cover a good bit of the room as well. You can combine them with some interesting nightstands or even lamps that have adjustable angles attached to the walls. This will free up floor space, which is very useful in smaller bedrooms.

·    One thing you must always keep in mind is that your bedroom must closely mirror and reveal the great parts of your personality, something that shows your inner world. This can be done by making sure its decorated and painted in your favorite colors as well as decorated in motifs that fit your personal ideas.

·    Another thing you should not forget is to make your bedroom as comfy as possible. This will make it much more fun for snuggling, sleep and overall rest and relaxation. After all, you should make sure you have a nice and soft bedroom, unless you're a fan of more spartan accommodations. You want snug, soft pillows and soft, warm covers. You know you do, so indulge yourself.

·    Make sure you choose a good focal point for your bedroom, as it will make it that much better when adorned with one. Whether its the bed or something else that makes the room more colorful or rich, the main thing is to ensure it attracts the attention right away. It could even be a piece of art that complements the overall theme of the bedroom.

·    You should make sure you have a good scale difference between the different aspects of your bedroom. A huge four-poster bed might be something you feel you'd love, but if it takes up far too much of your room, then you will need to think of a different solution. Sometimes a smaller or more simple type of furniture in a bedroom can pay off a lot better than it otherwise would.

·    You also need to consider lighting in a more practical manner. A good wall lamp with a switch close by will eliminate the need of putting too many things on your nightstand. Put a multi-watt bulb on it and you will have an easier time manipulating the light levels to your whim. Its practical and much more flexible as a solution.

·    If you want to make your room colorful, but not yet completely saturated with colors, then you can just use a few accent pieces here and there, such as accessories and pieces of art to make it better. It requires little effort while also allowing changes if need be.

You may find more helpful tips for your household by visiting: Pimlico household clearance

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Domestic Artist

“The ideal domestic worker is an artist, and her creation is her home. The artist takes what materials he has and manipulates them, but the goal is not just to create something interesting, but to express a vision of love and beauty. Even Michelangelo worked with the most banal of materials and ordinary techniques.

All was imbued with imagination and vision. It may seem ridiculous to compare a humble home filled with love and simple beauty to the Sistine Chapel. But, they are the same in that they are both works of artistry and express first and foremost the human soul.”

-Laura Wood

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Beautifying and Improving Your Home

We all know that our homes here are temporary.  We will one day go to the most beautiful home of all when we go to our heavenly home.  But for now, we can make our homes more "heavenly" by how we clean them, decorate them, and otherwise care for them.  Perhaps with our husbands' help, we can even make some home improvements.

When you decorate or make improvements to your home, think of ways you can make it more comfortable for your family, and also more welcoming to guests.  Do you have chairs or couches for guests to sit on?  Anything will do as long as it is pretty clean and isn't piled high with laundry (but you could even remove that if you had unexpected visitors). 

It is nice to add special touches or decorations for the different seasons throughout the year.  They don't have to be expensive, but for autumn it could be as simple as bringing in some fallen leaves from outside and attaching them to a picture frame. When you take time to maintain and upkeep your home, it will help your family to feel more loved and your home to be more inviting to your guests.

Would you like some ideas for improving your home?  You have probably all heard of Pinterest, but another place to get great ideas for your home is BuildDirect.  They post tips on home decor, home improvement, cleaning your home, and more.  They also supply renovation and improvement materials.

What things are you doing to improve your surroundings at home?  Remember, perfection isn't necessary to bless your family.

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Entrance Passage...
Richard Goulburn...
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Ideas for Your Home

Have you ever visited Houzz.com? I just discovered this great site that has so many ideas for interior design.  They have many, many photographs to get your creativity stirred with ideas for your home, inside and out.  The site lets you save photos you like to your "Ideabook".

There are ideas for landscape, bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and much more!  You can also browse for different home ideas by type of style.  There are Asian, contemporary, eclectic, Mediterranean, modern, traditional, and tropical style categories.  There are so many decorating ideas on this site.  If you hover over the pictures on the site, they will tell you more information, like what special things were done in the kitchen (hidden spice racks!), and where to buy certain items.  I hope you enjoy it too!

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