Make a Pretty Place

Virginia’s in the middle of what they’re 

(whoever “they” are) calling a blizzard. 

 From the looks of it, they’re actually right this time! 

 It’s finally Winter. 

I’m not anti-winter, but I’m guessing winter moments

 happen to all of us to some degree – those times where 

you crave something extra pretty and fresh and new. 

Somehow winter makes me want to change things up.  

I don’t know why – maybe a psychiatrist could tell me.

There’s an inherent desire in us that longs for the beautiful. 

 And it’s a good longing. 

  (I just re-read this post from 2013 with quotes on beauty.)

Decorating and having beauty in my home is something

 I would say I certainly enjoy, but it’s not my 

priority in life or the in budget for that matter. 

I don’t follow lots of home and decorating blogs, although I 

could let myself get swallowed up in them – all the creativity and

 beauty appeals to me somewhere deep inside.

  Actually, there’s only one blog that I follow, and it’s called

 “Nesting Place – it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful”.  

What this lady named Myquillin says, makes sense to me.  

Her style is not perfect, and doesn’t have to be done immediately, 

but it has beauty in spite of that.

I agree with “The Nester”, that decorating with something big,

 and even bold, makes a great impact.

 (Read her thoughts here.)  

But what about those days (or weeks, or years) where all your energy

 has gone into cleaning up after a toddler?  

Or there’s not a cent extra in the budget for something “big”?

  Or your health prevents you from even dreaming up

 anything new and big because it’s entirely too overwhelming? 

That was me a few years ago with Lyme Disease. 

The effect of the disease on the brain is not pretty.

  But there were still sparks of creativity now and then. 

That’s when I put this little group of Cacti in our kitchen window. 

I could handle finding some bricks and a board

 and arranging some tiny pots of succulents.  

This window had been a disaster.

 The sill is well below the table that’s in front of it,

 and creates a sort of pit.  

A perfect pit for stuffing used bread bags and such into.  

Not good.  

It didn’t take a lot of effort or money 

(thanks to you dear friends who’ve shared plants with me!)

 to change things up, and I’ve been enjoying

 this collection ever since. 

 It’s a little spot for beauty.

The pottery vase was made by my father-in-law when he was in high school.  Very awesome! 

 So I’d encourage you, even if you aren’t able to accomplish 

something big right now, 

at least do something small.  

Make a little place for something new and beautiful.  

And then ENJOY it!

"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him 

the name that is above every name, 

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, 

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, 

to the glory of God the Father."

 Philippians 2:9-11