My Lenten News Fast

For those who observe, Lent began earlier this month on Ash Wednesday (March 9th).  This year for Lent, I'm undertaking a news fast.  No news coverage except for weather.  I decided to give up news because as a "news junkie", I have a tendency to saturate myself with news coverage.  News in the morning while I'm getting dressed, listening to talk radio on-line at work, more news in the evening.  While its good to be informed, I find most news today is presented in such a manner that creates fear and anxiety.  That's not a healthy place to exist.  In 2 Timothy 1:7, it says "God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, of love and a sound mind."  A sound mind is not a fearful mind.  So in an effort to reclaim my peace and set my mind on whatever is excellent and praiseworthy, I said bye-bye to news (sorry Glenn and Rush!).

Since beginning my news fast, I've found that I haven't been able to completely escape the news of the day.  I don't know specifics, but I gather a disaster has happened in Japan (prayers for those affected).  And I've learned its not always the big things that rob my peace.  But my reaction to the little things during my day also has the potential to steal my peace (God is still working on me with that one!).



   

What I Wore to Work - Polka Dots

In this installment of What I Wore to Work, I'm seeing spots!  Well polka dots on this cute litte dress I picked up from Goodwill.  Since the dress is strapless and sleeveless, I paired it with my black sweater for the office.

A peek at the red crinoline built-in slip

Looks like I'm walking along the yellow brick road in these red shoes (also a Goodwill buy)!  Not the most practical of shoes, but I adore their curves and heels.

Spring!

Spring!

Our Little Suffragette

Recently Ashleigh had to give a history presentation on a famous American.  Her famous person was Esther Hobart Morris, the first female Justice of the Peace, who became known as the "Mother of Woman Suffrage".  She was also quite the "working home keeper" - wife, mother of three and owner of a successful millinery business.

Along with a written report and visual, Ashleigh had to dress the part of her famous American.  After looking high and low in various thrift stores for something Edwardian-esque, we ended up using a long, ruffled skirt from my closet and a small black jacket from Ashleigh's.  Our homemade costume turned out quite nicely, for no out of pocket expense at all!

Ash Wednesday

"Memento, homo ... quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris"

"Remember, man, you are dust and to dust you will return."

Bye, Bye 70s! Painted Paneling

BEFORE

Our house was built in the 1970s.  Among its original features are yellow shag carpeting in the study, harvest gold tile in the master bath and the dark wood paneling pictured above in the living room.  When we first saw this house, we feel in love with the layout instantly.  Which is why the paneling didn't scare us away!  We figured we would replace it with drywall once we settled in.  But life got busy - having babies and raising babies.  And the financial aspect of replacing the paneling seemed so overwhelming.

From a decorating standpoint, the room never really came together.  I hesitated to put anything on the walls, because of the paneling.  I had a vision for the room but struggled to bring it to life.  Our thoughts then turned to painting the paneling.  But the 12 foot ceiling in this room was intimidating!  We had a local painter come out to give us an estimate.  His price for painting the room fit nicely within our budget.  And now we have a beautiful new room, that looks just as I had always imagined it would!

AFTER

I chose Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray (SW 6205) for the paneling, Sherwin Williams Dover White (SW 6385) for the trim, shelves and stair railing and the drywall above the paneling was color matched to a Valspar paint color (a beige color).

I commented to Dave not only does the room look better, it makes our "trashy" furnishing look better as well!  And when I say trashy, I mean basically everything in this room was either given to us, bought at a yard sale or was a curbside treasure!

The painters also made repairs to the exterior and the gave our saltbox a fresh coat of red paint.  The exterior color is Sherwin Williams Fireweed (SW 6328).  Which I've come to learn is the consumer version of the paint color used for the Golden Gate Bridge.

We're so in love with this room now!  It looks like an entirely different room.  What a great way to start Spring, with a completely refreshed space!

Sharing this before and after with:

Remodelaholic - Remodelaholic's Anonymous

Quick Meals for Working Moms - Smoked Sausage, Potatoes & Beans

A simple, yet tasty skillet meal to prepare after work. 

Brown sliced smoked sausage (I use nitrate-free smoked turkey sausage) in a frying pan.  To the browned sausage, add peeled and diced organic potatoes and frozen organic lima beans.  Cover with organic or homemade chicken broth.  Season to taste with onion powder and black pepper.  Cook until potatoes are tender.

Sharing this quick meal with:

Balancing Beauty and Bedlam - Tasty Tuesday