“No sooner doth the truth come into the
soul’s sight, but the soul knows her to be her first
and oldest aquaintance.”
- I should first tell you that I am still working on the ‘beauty’ post. I get hamstrung by reading a lot of great writers and then feel completely inadequate with my own summation of the important points. I guess the old adage that we should listen twice as much as we speak is holding true for me. I can‘t stop listening(reading) long enough to speak (write).
- I also wanted to tell show you what else I’ve been up to lately. By a stroke of luck, or by my estimation, divine appointment, I wandered into a ‘high-end’ furniture store at the end of their ‘store closing’ sale. I also just happened to have insurance money that had to be spent on furniture replacement in order to be fully reimbursed. Long story short, I feel like I’ve just won the lottery. Most of the furniture ended up being 75-90% off. For instance, I bought a $1000 kilim rug for $89. And so on. So, to prepare my house for delivery next week, I’m rearranging everything. ( or as JamieKnoxville and I affectionately call it…..’tuggin’ and pullin’).
Yesterday, in a burst of hulk-strength, I moved this large china cabinet from my dining room to the breakfast room—to make room for the $4500 mahogany sideboard that I bought for $619! It really doesn’t exactly fit here, so it may end up in my bedroom holding clothes and shoe displays. On 2nd thought, my bedroom is on the other side of the world, so it will likely stay here for awhile.
To help me celebrate this rare joyous occasion, the crepe myrtles are blooming. So kind of them. ( I love how they poke through the fence)
I also have an insatiable reading appetite lately as I’ve been preparing the last two blog posts in this series. And if you are homeschooling, you must read this Charlotte Mason book “A Philosophy of Education”—it goes right along with the Thomas Jefferson book I’ve been giddy about, and is much better than reading someone else’s summary of what Charlotte Mason said.
She reitirates the fact that self-education is the key, and that we as teachers, are to inspire and help to ‘awaken the soul’ so that children have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
And Plato? This stuff is fantastic. I’ve been printing off maps of Greece and taking copious notes. It’s not as hard as I thought. I read the sparknotes summary of it first, which helped, then I read a historical introduction, which really helped, and then I dove in, headfirst. It must be contagious because in the antique store the other day, my 7yo got really excited and said, “Mom, I just found a book about Plato!” We were all excited about the beautiful little volume with dainty gold lettering, but mostly, I was thankful that she had been paying attention to what we were reading.
And that little notebook at the bottom? That’s a collection of lots of fun stuff—-paint swatches (I’m painting my living room—which has been the same color for a record EIGHT years—-before the new furniture arrives), magazine clippings of things I love, articles I want to read, my much neglected calendar, my somewhat neglected bible reading schedule, notecards, address labels, and so on.
I also stumbled upon a lovely aloe plant and my girls have discovered hundreds of little boo-boos lately which most definitely require aloe. Hundreds. Thank you to my friend, the Nester, for introducing me to this beautiful way of displaying my succulents.
So, as I re-evaluate my decor, and pour over design ideas, do you have any advice for me? I’m painting my living room Woodrow-Wilson Linen (a very presidential cream color) in an effort to feature my new heirloom furniture. But I’ll find a way to ‘shabby’ it up a little I’m sure. Although I don’t know how I’ll adjust to furniture that shouldn’t be spray-painted. I can’t wait to show you.
Check out my tumblr site—a place where I store links and pictures I love. And if you have time this weekend, read the post I wrote at the blogfrog about my current thoughts on blogging.
I also stumbled upon a lovely aloe plant and my girls have discovered hundreds of little boo-boos lately which most definitely require aloe. Hundreds. Thank you to my friend, the Nester, for introducing me to this beautiful way of displaying my succulents.
So, as I re-evaluate my decor, and pour over design ideas, do you have any advice for me? I’m painting my living room Woodrow-Wilson Linen (a very presidential cream color) in an effort to feature my new heirloom furniture. But I’ll find a way to ‘shabby’ it up a little I’m sure. Although I don’t know how I’ll adjust to furniture that shouldn’t be spray-painted. I can’t wait to show you.
Check out my tumblr site—a place where I store links and pictures I love. And if you have time this weekend, read the post I wrote at the blogfrog about my current thoughts on blogging.
Have a great weekend and I’ll soon return to my series!
I think the china cabinet looks great in the breakfast area! (Just shove a little closer to the window.) I'll bet the longer it stays there, the more you'll like it there! And congrats on the fabulous furniture scores! (To "replace" what was taken from the home at the lake?) Enjoy!
Hi Edie.
Can I just tell you how much I ADORE your blog?! Seriously, I don't know exactly what it is, but I find myself absolutely enthralled. I get to the end of your posts and I think to myself, "Wait, how did that happen?"
I am soooo happy that I found you, although at this point I don't even remember how that was.
On another note, I have that same Country Home issue on my table right now, and the open page with the twin bed canopy is in my inspiration folder. Great minds, maybe. š
Oh, I finished the adirondack chairs, and I posted about them yesterday if you would like to take a look. I think they came out pretty great.
Keep it coming, Edie. You are a bright light in my day.
*Tricia
Edie,
In your first photo, is that really a Boulanger print (lithograph)? You will probably think I'm nuts, but I heart Boulanger. I had several of his prints before getting married but hubby thought not so kind things about them and I broke under the pressure.
Love your book selection, btw. We just finished the Iliad for Boys and Girls. And I am still muddling through the March of Folly. I swear I have to keep a dictionary handy while reading lately.
Please keep posting – you are a bright light out there in cyberblogworld!
I keep forgetting that Boulanger is a "her". Sorry!
Oh I love, love, love the china cabinet and it looks great with the rest of the furniture. Can you move it a little closer to the window. I think I saw a light blocking it. Anyway, whatever you do I know it will be gorgeous. I can't wait to see the rest of your wonderful finds. Hugs, Marty
Hey Edie…how fantastic to get all those goods at such awesome prices…talk about being at the right place at the right time. The Lord is good! I am so enjoying all your inspiring thoughts on decor ect as we are finsihing our home upstairs which hopefully we will finally move into by Christmas. We built a Self Contained B&B and we have been living in the 4th apartment for the last 3 and a half years all in the one room. It's been a wonderful adventure but I think my son is needing his own room now. So thanks heaps for sharing your ideas, it's so cool! If you have a spare sec our website is http://www.thewaveoasis.com.au
Cheers,
Love Sarah ~ xxx
The Poisonwood Bible..Kingsolver is a beautiful story teller and her attention to detail will leave you speechless. I couldn't read it fast enough. And my family will back this statement, because I ignored them those two full days. Hope you enjoy it as much!
ps: china cabinet is gorgeousss as well. How about filling it up with framed photos and/or books? just a thought..
St Micheal's Wife,
I wish I could scootch it closer to the window but that sitting bench is in the way (and firmly attached to the wall!) And yes, this is to replace what was stolen.
Tricia,
You are so sweet and I will definitely check out your chairs!!
Meme,
I wish it were Boulanger, but I do love it. I have several oil paintings from this artist (whose name I can't remember….or read on the painting.
You guys are the best!
how amazing with the furniture!!!!
i always have so many questions & comments after your posts, edie… like WHICH store is THAT?!! and … i'll help you tug and pull if you need, tho i like it there, too… and i'm liking the book, too, and R says, "it's so deep and sooo important" just from reading random paragraphs here and there… and miss you! š
ps: thnx for stopping by and for continuing to motivate me
Ooooo…I can't wait for so many things! More of the education series, the furniture, and your writing! And I always love to see what you're reading!
That paint color sounds so pretty. I look forward to seeing pictures of your living room.
Regardless, the remarkable beauty of nature is can live in
your home. In rustic furniture, knots, cracks and markings are recognized as
personality characteristics of that unique piece of wood rather than as
defects. Rustic furniture has character.