THE SOUNDS OF A HOMECOMING!

The pitter-patter of little feet, an occasional baby's cry, theological discussions, giggling over a "tea party" with the Peter Rabbit tea set, praise and worship music blaring from the upstairs in the early morning! These are the sounds of a re-united family!

We are so glad that JT, Kori, and their girls, Emma and Sophie, made it safely home from Colorado Springs yesterday afternoon. For the next week and a half they are staying with us. It's such a joy to hear the little voices of our granddaughters again. Emma and I have played tea party in the antique toy corner countless times already. She seems to enjoy it more than ever. Sophie is walking all over now and is growing up rapidly. I hope your desired holiday moments are coming true as well. Blessings, LORI

PEACE ON EARTH

Somehow, I managed to get two of the same pictures on here. Then I realized how appropriate that was to my post title! Peace, Peace! Can you get too much of it?!


"Peace on earth" is part of the declaration of the heavenly host from Luke 2 in the account of Jesus' birth. It seems to be a statement that the Prince of Peace has now arrived,' things are being set right in the world, God has sent the provision for your total well-being!


This week we received the same huge winter snowstorm that blanketed much of the midwest. I think a good snowstorm creates a sense of 'peace' in so many ways. When the snow has stopped falling, the countryside looks clean, sparkling, glistening, and peaceful. It forces you to stay inside, slow down, and do things you have been putting off--things like writing letters, baking, spending more time as a family, and gathering around cozy places. I think a heavy snowfall is a positive thing once in a while!

Pictured here is my garden sign, "PEACE," now almost buried in snow. Also pictured is "Mrs. Wren's house" with snow on the roof! Blessings of peace to you in this wonderful season, LORI

WELCOME TO THE ANTIQUE TOY CORNER

I hope this panorama of pictures will give you an idea of what my "antique toy corner" is like. This little area is upstairs in the dormer that faces east and has the large decorative window. I got the idea to decorate it this way from a memory from childhood. We visited My Old Kentucky Home in Bardstown, KY when I was a little girl and I remember the nursery in a little upstairs room. It fascinated me and impressed me a lot, I guess. I inherited many old toys from family members and so decided to put them all here.

The grandfather clock is a family item that will be going back home to my mother-in-law's soon. It stayed here for the summer while her new house was being built. First group of strong guys here are welcome to carry it downstairs and move it! Next to it sits a little red wooden chair that belonged to my grandma. It's early 1900's at least. Sorry that we had to photograph through the stairway. This dormer is sliced by the open staircase.

You may need to click to enlarge these pictures for detail. The red chair and little rocker both holding dolls were given to me. The little chair belonged to Clint's mother and the larger rocker my parents found at an auction. The little red egg was an Easter present given to my dad by a great grandmother in the 1920's. It almost got away from me the day of my mom's auction. I found it and took it back in the house before the sale started!

The little white dresser was mine as a little girl and on top of it sits a new Peter Rabbit tea set I bought recently. Emma and I took it down and played with it while she was here during Thanksgiving. The little cradle was made in the 1800's by a man from Pennsylvania. We just found out from family diaries this year that it was probably purchased by my dad for his sisters one year in the 1930's. He had a paper route and this gentleman was one of his customers! My aunt, my dad's sister, just gave me the little bronzed shoes this year. An old school slate is leaned against the wall.

The white shelf I obtained at a garage sale and it holds my collection of Snow White dishes. I played with them as a little girl. Some were broken, but I salvaged most of them. The sampler above was done by Rhiannon in high school. It was a homeschool project.

In one picture you will see an antique coverlet on the wall. I salvaged this from Clint's mom's auction as well. I think his grandma made it and I believe the fabric is from feed sacks. The picture of the little boy fishing is very old. It hung in our house when I was growing up in the 1960's and 70's. My mom loved auctions before they were "cool" and she got it long ago. The desk beneath it was given to me for a graduation present since I was a business major. On top of it sits an African tea set I purchased in Kenya and several antique toy utensils. Below it are a pair of my grandma's shoes that she wore when she was four years old (1903-04). Also piled on the floor are several old quilts--very old I might add. I believe some of the fabrics are Civil War era and were pieced by my great grandmothers. Also a little antique stroller is holding some books that belonged to me, my father, and his mother. The wooden stroller behind the desk was Clint's mother's.

Emma loves to come up here to play. I have to supervise when she plays up here since some of toys are so fragile. I want them to be enjoyed, though and I think it would be a shame to never let her touch them. She is learning to treat them carefully. I hope you enjoyed this little visit to my toy corner. Blessings, LORI

A FEW NEW ITEMS IN DECORATING

Just wanted to post a few pictures from around the house. My daughter in law suggested this when she was home recently. She said folks like to see decorating ideas on blogs. I want to share one of my favorite dormer corners with you. I have posted about it before, but there have been some recent changes!

This is a picture of my "European Corner," as I call it. I recently added some items to this dormer. I was cleaning the other day and happened upon this antique gold picture frame that I've never put a picture in! I decided not to let it sit around any more! It is now a frame for hanging herbs and flowers to dry!

As well as that, I recently added a few new plates and a plate rack to the wall below Vermeer's "Lacemaker." I am especially fond of this painting becuase I too am a bobbin lacemaker. The new plate rack was given to me by a friend who did not realize I had the exact matching two lengthwise ones. They hang on the opposite wall! I was thrilled to get it! The new plates--the ones in the middle--came from a second store. They pick up the bright primary colors of the room quite well. The new decor cost a total of $12.50, so I am thrilled with the cheap changes!

We are leaving for Iowa tomorrow. Have a blessed week! LORI