Lord make our homes so loving
In such a joyful way;
The world can see a difference
and everyone will say
Love is spoken here,
Joy is flowing here,
Hope is sheltered here.
Lord Make Our Homes
Stanza 1
Esther & Bob Burroughs
Sunday, May 18
Sunday Grace
Saturday, May 17
Friday, May 16
Pillows, Pillows Everywhere....
We recently talked about window seats and layers of pillows...
...when it comes to furnishings...you can never have enough pillows...we tuck them everywhere...sofas, chairs, benches and porch swings...each one looks better with a little bit of fabulous material filled with down and topped off with some incredible trim...as a matter of fact...one of our favorite decorating tricks is to tuck a whimsical chair in a corner and add a tiny pillow...
...during our sojourn into blogging we have done so many things with pillows...we have...decorated a porch swing...we have painted them...we have tucked them into an entry hall and used a transfer technique to create a one-of-a-kind pillow...
...and lastly...our wonderful friend Jo today posted on her blog, NeereanDear Creations a great project creating a pillow from a photograph she took last summer...
...so if a corner has you stymied...look no farther than a vintage chair...and toss on that little bit of wonderfulness called a pillow!
Have a blessed day!
smiles, kari & kijsa
Thursday, May 15
Third Grade Masterpieces
Last weekend, we were honored to assist in a fabulous fundraising event for our child's school...
Several professional artists and galleries in the area created projects with each elementary grade. Working within the school curriculum each artist instructed a class or two, then partnered with the students to produce related quilt designs. The students then worked with the Quilt museum and volunteers to create, pice, and stitch the quilts. The resulting masterpieces were then auctioned off...
Prior to the auction, there was a gallery hop, complete with trolley rides for friends, families, and the young creatives to show off their work in individual studio and gallery exhibits!
The theme for the third grade was African art, and these gourds are some of their wonderful masterpieces! What talent, what confidence, and what a wonderful experience!
Wednesday, May 14
What's a Window to Do?
Windows...windows...windows...they come in all sizes and shapes...each with it's own decorating dilemma. Bay windows can be one of the most challenging to find the perfect look for...and that was the question behind a recently received e-mail from Jennifer who wrote us...
"I have a very large bay window in my living room that I have no idea what to do with. I've started doing something because I was tired of the temporary paper drapes. I've added sheer white panels right in front of the windows but I have no idea where to go from there. I'm the decorationally-challenged one in the family. LOL If you have any suggestions I'd greatly appreciate it."
Here's a few suggestions for maximizing your bay window:
(1) Add stationary rods with long window panels (creating a frame for the window itself) to the two outside corners and complete the look with roman shades on each of the interior windows.
(2) Create a window seat at the base of the window...finish with pillows, a large single cushion (don't forget to add some fabulous trim) and a simple valance at each of the windows.
(3) For cleaner look with plenty of style, create a single wooden cornice board for the outside of the window. To make the cornice board, simply trace a pattern onto a single board and cut-out with a scroll saw. Then add simple shades to each of the windows.
...and now we ask you sweet friends in blog land...what do you think...what creative ideas do you have...please, please...help us to solve one of the pressing questions of the universe..."What's a Window To Do?"
Have a blessed day.
smiles, kari & kijsa
Tuesday, May 13
Dream a Little Dream
To someone else it may look like a simple blade of grass in a field of green...but for our family it is the culmination of a dream...
...located along the banks of the Cumberland River with green fields and rolling river breezes...with steamships and barges lumbering by...this is where we are about to build our dream house. 
This is new for us...we are a fan of the vintage...the old...the history that is found in six inch moldings and eight foot pocket doors...I can still remember the look on our builder's face when I explained to him what I wanted.
I explained (ever so patiently) that I wanted it to look like a home that I had inherited from my grandmother...a farmhouse by the river that had stood the test of time...the kind of house that families had come together for generations...creating memories that would be talked about for generations to come.
He shrugged his shoulders...and nodded ever so reluctantly (as most people do who don't understand why you would want to incorporate a fabulous old cabinet as the butler's pantry)...
...and so now...as we begin the journey...I am off to scour the countryside for old doors, windows, sinks (maybe even a bathtub or two)...anything that will help to create the feeling of timelessness with these newly (about to be constructed) walls...
Wish me luck!
smiles, kari & kijsa
Monday, May 12
A Cup of This...
Sometimes it is the little things that can cause you to hum a little tune, lighten your work load a bit, and just generally just make you smile!
Somehow, just placing our detergent in shiny glass jars, and swapping our scoops for vintage teacups (kijsa also uses old silver baby cups) makes doing those loads (after loads) a bit more cheery!!! 
So find a pretty jar, pour out your suds, and pull out Grandma's tea cup..and life will seem just a little bit lovelier today!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
Sunday, May 11
Sunday Grace
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY...
...but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.
1 Thessalonians 2:7
Saturday, May 10
Friday, May 9
A Little Tribute
Okay...so it's official...drum roll please....kari has sworn off that wonderful elixir known as Diet Coke for 9 days 21 hours and 12 minutes (but who's counting)...a friend challenged her to see if she could and she did...so in honor of all the missed diet cokes these past 9 days...here's a little tribute we once did to that fabulous drink....
"Although we try to keep this a well-hidden secret, it has possibly leaked out that we enjoy a good Diet Coke...what you may not know however are all our favorite ways to drink it...so here goes...
1. Nothing beats a perfect fountain drink- especially the ones with tiny crushed ice pebbles-yum-mmm-mmm-Oh the thought!
2. A garnish of fresh lime not only looks fabulous- but adds just the right hint of zest!
3. Okay, so you are at Subway, and when you request fresh lime, they look at you with that same blank stare they give you when you ask for cheddar cheese that is the natural shade of cheesy orange! But never fear-don't skip a beat-they do have lemon, and that works in a pinch!
4. Those 16oz bottles hit the spot while waiting in line at Target dreaming of how you are going to use those chunky candlesticks to hold your pumpkins for your new fall decor.
5. Now- floats are delicious in and of themselves- but when you add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to a glass of diet coke- the diet part magically melts the calories away- in fact-they may even become negative- making this an especially effective energy drink!
6. Pop a bottle in the freezer for about an hour before you hit the beach (or just do it anyway, lay on your couch on a beach towel, and enjoy the thought!)
7. And nothing, we mean nothing, is better than a diet coke enjoyed with your sister! Or a friend-- So thanks for enjoying this with us!"
Now kari's off to enjoy a tall glass of ice water...but there's always tomorrow!
Have a blessed weekend!
smiles, kari & kijsa
Thursday, May 8
What's a Staircase to Do...Take Two
Wow...we are overwhelmed at all of the fabulous ideas that you all posted...there were so many great posts from so many of you in blog land and we wanted to share them...Patricia from pve design sent us this picture of a drawer unit she built in under her stairs...perfect use of space (and perfect place to store just about anything)...
Tanna from Complete Organizing Solutions posted several great ideas, including a great built-in desk...
The Southerner sent us a fabulous post on a built-in pantry she constructed under her stairs...we love the shelving...
and Jen from Sanctuary Arts at Home sent us the cutest idea for a "ballet playroom" she did...there are even some faux accessories painted on the wall...adorable...
...who would have thought that that space so often overlooked and neglected would have so much potential.
Thank you for making our day with your creativity!
Have a blessed weekend.
smiles, kari & kijsa
Wednesday, May 7
What's That Under-used, Potentially Fabulous, Great-Idea-Waiting-To-Happen Space Under Your Stairs To Do?
In the search to utilize every bit of storage space...every nook and cranny that a person could possibly think of using to create organization out of chaos...enter the space under the stairs...it is underused...it has so much potential...it has the capability to be an incredible project...
So we researched...and we looked...and came up with these ideas:
(1) Create drawers in the stairs. We recently found an article that discussed actually creating drawers out of each individual drawer. The only space they take up is the space directly under each tread. This would be a great option for stairs that are not used so much (ie basement stairs).
(2) Create a wine cellar. Add built-ins and inserts to create a place to store your finest vintage.
(3) Create a home office. Add bulletin boards and a desk for the perfect place to pay bills or write letters. And when you are done...simply close the door to hide that mail you might have let stack up (not that we would know anything about stuff like that).
Now research is great...but why spend too much time when we have all of you...our friends in blogland...have you done anything special with your space under your stairs. We would LOVE to post pictures if anyone has an incredible idea we would like to share....so please help us solve one of the pressing questions of the universe...."What's That Under-used, Potentially Fabulous, Great-Idea-Waiting-To-Happen Space Under Your Stairs To Do?"
Have a blessed and wonderful day!
smiles, kari & kijsa
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