Thursday, November 29, 2012

A treasure of my heart





As many of my readers know my blog

is a sharing of my decorating passions

 and a sharing of my heart...



Twenty years ago

I stood in church sharing a testimony

of my faith and out in the crowd

there was a beautiful woman

with tears smiling at me.

Afterward she came and gave me the warmest

hug and shared that she wanted

to be my friend.





When I think of the word friend

I realize many have a different perception

of the true meaning of friendship.

1993 began the journey

that my dearest Camilla and I would

see through together.

Only the good Lord knew what we

would become to each other.





We were wives and mothers raising our

young children while sharing joys and sorrows.

I loved that we had that common thread of

rescuing a curbside find and restoring life

back into it. Before long we began doing

the same for the other ones soul.

She mentored me through

a bible study and

our bond grew even more.

All of this was

the preparation for what was to become.





Life happened and the waters

were choppy and then they were treacherous.

Cami became my life line and I hers

as we lived through the waves thrashing us about.

Our spiritual armor was going through the war

week after week month after month.

She coined the phrase that I use

" dog paddling " to stay above water.

We woke at 5:30 am everyday and phoned

the other and prayed for each other.




One day we happened upon this

tiny book " Faithful Friends ".

As life would lead us

there we were marking the pages with

flower petals in certain places

then passing it back and forth between us.

In our hearts we knew when it

was time to give it back to the other.




All of the petals still remain

in this three inch book of love

that is our treasure.

Cami even began calling me

every Thanksgiving morning

and we sing together over the phone.

" This is the day that the Lord has made "

My oldest who is twenty five had remarked to

me the other day " I can't believe you two still

sing that on Thanksgiving." He remembered that from

his childhood days.





Over the years death came, divorce came

along with much heartache and pain, yet

she still remained faithful and when sickness

came to me she was my warrior

of prayer and strength.





Cami teases me till this day

she says " I'm all show and no go "

held together with chewing gum and paper clips

referring to the break down of my body

through years of battling this illness.

We laugh so much over that.



A few months ago at her father's memorial service

Cami placed the Faithful Friends book in my hand

when I arrived and we tearfully embraced.







This past week

I read each page and shed many tears.

We have seen each other through the

worst times of our lives during which

a few we were unable to be a great friend

to the other. There was pain and with that

 followed periods of silence.

During that silence there was growth

and a renewed spirit that bloomed

in each of us.

I thanked God this week

over and over again that He

chose us to be these Faithful Friends.


The commitment that is honored,

the grace that is given.

That neither of us suffer the other

over the past hurts. We rejoice

in the love that stands firm.

What a rare beauty to find someone who can love

you even when you are not

at your best and still treasure you

within their heart.




Camilla you are the most amazing

and beautiful woman I am truly

blessed beyond words.

 I thank the Lord

for His gift of our Faithful Friendship

I love you and thank you

for your perserverance

and steadfast love.




Linking up with my favorite gals



Stop by later this week

for a lovely holiday giveaway!

Much love to each of you...

Friday, November 16, 2012

" Vintage in the Mix "



I decided to marry two of my projects

together and create a romantic vignette

and stage them in two settings.





Mr. Dior and I were playing house with

my sweet dresser that you

remember from my One man's trash post

and my recent Dollar Store Elegance 

 when one of the dresser's drawers fell apart

 he added the shelf and top for me.





Adding some fresh flowers

was a nice trade from

my usual obsession with twigs.






{ my treasured vintage suitcase }





Vintage glass ware and trays {Goodwill}

Old coca cola crate {Yardsale}

Silver platters {Dollar Store Project}





On the other side of the room

I mixed in some old white ironstone

along with other vintage platters.





Then used the shelf

for some extra storage space.





This dresser will be perfect

for a small holiday buffet.





Vintage platters {Goodwill}

Basket and vintage glass ware {Goodwill}

Vintage lamp {Yard sale}





This week I will be linking up with

the lovelies at my favorite

weekly parties...




Beyond the Picket Fence Inspiration Friday




Have a beautiful and blessed week!
XOXO

Monday, November 12, 2012

" Great is thy Faithfulness "



Sharing a piece of my heart


amongst all of the other beautiful and inspiring women...





See you all later this week when

I will be sharing a few projects and

another curbside rescue!




My love to all of you...
XOXO

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Vintage Farm Style


When you live in OC its hard to create

a farm style feel without having

your own farmhouse.

Unless that is if you have a friend

who sends you a photo of vintage barn style doors

 waiting for you by the curbside.





My heart rate went through the roof

just knowing I was going to

have these beauties that evening.






Mr. Dior was such a peach while

he labored cleaning them and making sure they were

sturdy and secure to have them inside of our home.

Most of the weekend I spent gazing at their beauty.

Every inch of them filled with character.





We had the pleasure of meeting

the lady who was having this 100 year old

home restored. She shared how these belonged

to what resembled a little barn.

She was so delighted about the new ones

that she had built while I was jumping with joy

that I was receiving the old ones.






I stumbled upon this steer head wicker planter while

shopping the Goodwill and thought it

would add some whimsy to the doors.

 I loved how the sun had faded it 

to the most perfect patina.





I added a few pops of black

with old trunks to break up the whites.





Mr. Dior was so patient

as I asked him if he would pick me up

the tumbleweed near the railroad.


{ Kate loves her twigs }




{Cross Pillow} Sweet Tea and Linen


 I need to find a unique vintage chandelier for the room.




I am thrilled to have them in time for the holidays!

I can't wait to decorate this room

for a Farm Style Christmas.




This week I will be joining

the most lovely gals in blogland

as I link up to their great weekly parties!







Also please stop by and visit this wonderful series


that my blog bestie Kristin is hosting


These women are sharing

their beautiful hearts and thoughts!



Wishing all of you a very blessed week!
XOXO