Four Years of Blogging

It has been exactly four years since I started this blog.

It was my New Year's goal for 2016.

So every January since I like to "go back to the drawing board," so to speak, and reevaluate my vision for this blog.

Why am I doing this? and Do I want to keep doing this? Are the questions I ask myself each year.

(A winter vignette on my mantle...)

I had several reasons for starting my blog four years ago...

~ I wanted a place to record family stories and pictures.

~ I wanted a place to document the renovation projects we've accomplished in our old farmhouse.

~ And I wanted a place to write my heart out.

I do not call myself a writer, but I've used this blog as a canvas to jot down ideas, to express my beliefs, and to maybe be a blessing to those who stop by to read.

Several years into my homemaking career, I noticed a pretty blatant trend sweeping through our culture. Women who were home were looked down upon - viewed as oppressed and uneducated. Our work at home was not considered valuable to society. 

So I decided my photos and writings on this blog would shed a positive light on homemaking.

I wanted to be part of the solution!

Why not go against the grain of the culture and try to give homemaking a good reputation?!

That became my vision.

(A winter table for family dinners...)

But I quickly encountered opposition.

I've learned that one cannot write or speak about being happy at home without receiving negative feedback.

I've been accused of being narrow-minded and judgmental. And I've been accused of forcing my opinions on people.

- How dare you write about homeliving and homeschooling. 

- Don't you know you're a nobody? 

- You have nothing valuable to say.

- No one's listening to you.

These are all comments and attitudes I've received.

But, I certainly don't view myself as a judgmental person.

And I've always known I'm a nobody.

I don't write precociously, I just write out of my own experiences.

So, I guess I don't really see that I've done anything wrong.

I've only ever written about positive and uplifting things, and have never used my blog to tear anybody down.

"When you begin to do Kingdom-building work, Satan will go after ya!" My Dad told me once.

Yes, I have definitely felt that.

But that's how you know you're on the right track. Satan leaves alone those who are no threat to him.

Mothers who have sacrificed everything to be home full-time with their children, and who tirelessly train them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4) are going to soon turn loose warriors of righteousness. So yes, Satan is paying attention.

So, do I want to keep doing this?

Do I want to keep opening myself up by continuing to write on this blog?

I recently read this by Nancy DeMoss-Wolgemuth...

"I promise you, what you have gleaned of God's nature and ways throughout the course of your life, however inadequate you may feel, is worth passing on to others, particularly to those following behind you. Wherever you've seen God prove Himself faithful, wherever His Word has sustained you in weakness and provided needed direction, and yes, even wherever you've experienced the consequences of failing to walk according to His Word- there's your story to share."

God gave me that encouragement and "green light" to go forward with blogging just at the right time.

~ This little light of mine

I'm going to let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel? No!

I'm going to let it shine. ~

(A napkin love note from one of my children...)

Going forward, here's what you can expect from me on this blog in 2020...

I publish posts about twice a month. That is a good pace for me. 

This is a blog about home living, so you won't see any political rants or things of that nature.

I like to write and post pictures about decorating, family stories, recipes, homeschool ideas, etc...

And since my goal is to give homemaking a good reputation, you probably won't see posts of me complaining or of my house in chaotic disaray. Don't accuse me of being fake. I have bad days. I just choose to strive for the excellence I know is in me and celebrate that instead.

"God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will excel in every good work." - 2 Corinthians 9:8

As far as forcing my opinions on people... well, you had to make the decision yourself to click over here and read this, didn't you? *wink

I will not tailor this blog to my critics.

Read along only if you'd like.

xo,

~ Courtney ~

A Give-Away

I found myself in a gift shop recently, and happened upon this beautiful copy of Anne of Green Gables...

I was struck by the loveliness of the cover, and also by the realization that I've somehow lived thirty-five years and have never read this classic!

How can that be?!

So I purchased it,

and when I brought it home I dove into reading it right away!

Actually, I didn't read Anne of Green Gables, I devoured it.

 In only four days I had it completely finished.

What a wonderful, uplifting book!

 I felt a bit of loneliness for a few days after I finished it.

Anne was such a huge part of my life for four days, and then suddenly she was gone!

But her delightful spirit has stayed with me.

"It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will." ~ Anne 

I learned a lot from Anne...

She knew how to enjoy nature and find joy in any circumstance...

"'Dear old world', she murmured, 'you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.'"

~ Anne of Green Gables

"Listen to the trees talking in their sleep... What nice dreams they must have!" ~ Anne

"Oh, look! A bee just tumbled out of an apple blossom. Just think what a lovely place to live- in an apple blossom! Fancy going to sleep in it when the wind was rocking it. If I wasn't a human girl I think I'd like to be a bee and live among the flowers." ~ Anne

For some reason I felt compelled to buy two copies while shopping that day.

I thought I'd keep one for myself and give the other one away.

I remembered you, my dear readers, who have been such an encouragement to me throughout my blogging journey.

So I wonder if you'd like this second Anne of Green Gables as a gift from me?

I like a life that's simple and beautiful, and I think that's why this book was so enjoyable to me.

And I'd like to think that if you've been a follower of this blog, that you enjoy those things, too!

Even if you don't read the book, it would look lovely on your bookshelf or coffee table. 

I also think it'd be perfect on display in a little girls' room!

I would be happy to ship it to you! 

Just be the first commenter on this post.

(As long as it's within the U.S. I will ship it. You can email me your address so it's private. But of course if I know you in person, I will just hand deliver it to you the next time I see you.)

*smile

I guess it's a small way for me to say, "THANK YOU" for reading my blog!

I appreciate you all...

xo,

~ Courtney ~

A New Year and a New Blog Title!

Yes, I realize it's been a new year for over a month now, haha...

But I haven't written a post since late December!

I have missed you!!!

Do you like my new blog title?

It's actually been on my mind to rename for many months!

I have had this humble little blog for two years now, and I've taken note as to the overall theme and topics I enjoy writing about the most...

I've noticed that this blog has mainly been about (1.) My home: the renovation projects we work on, as well as my decorating and thoughts on home living; and (2.) My experiences and beliefs as a wife and homeschool mother.

Hence the name; Rooms and Reflections.

I'm excited about the change!

I have recently made another big change, too!...

I deactivated my Facebook account a couple of weeks ago.

The reason I am mentioning it here is because every time I would publish a blog post I would post the link to it on Facebook. My thinking in doing that was to broaden my audience and make getting to my blog easier for people. 

Unfortunately, I began getting really negative comments.

(*sad face)

Because it was on Facebook, women were finding it who shouldn't have been, and leaving foolish comments meant to tear down me and my message.

Someone close to me finally said, "Stop casting your pearls before swine." And I realized it was time for me to leave that site.

It has been a huge blessing!

I have so much more time on my hands! I go to bed earlier and feel more rested! Plus it just feels so good to not be exposed to the cattiness anymore!

I realize that my blog readers will decrease as a result of this decision, but going from quantity to quality will be worth it I think!

(*wink)

SO... What have I been up to this winter?...

Enjoying the beautiful, snowy weather...

"He says to the snow, 'Fall upon the earth...'" Job 37:6

And warm, comforting meals...

We took the kids on an overnight family trip to help break up the winter and make precious memories...

And had some fun on our muddy trails on an unusually mild day...

(Haha! Oh, my Nola... She's a country girl alright!)

I also rearranged the furniture in the girls' room...

(Micah was away on a business trip and this helped distract me and pass the time.)

This was the girls' room before...

It's an old picture that shows Elsa's crib behind the door.

When we moved her to a big girl bed, we just put the bed in the place of the crib.

Well, one night I got ants in my pants and decided to play around.

I came up with this arrangement instead...

I like it so much better!!!

Another project we've been working on this winter is in our family room...

Micah's been refinishing the ceilings' beams and installing crown moulding...

I hope I can show you 'progress' pictures in the somewhat near future!

In the meantime however, this is how our kids have been watching TV due to the renovation, haha...

Well friends, there is more I'd love to write about! I keep a log in my home management binder of blog topic ideas! So, I will absolutely be back here soon!

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today! 

What have YOU been up to this winter?

I hope it's been a wonderful season of rest for you!

"Wash me and I will be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7b

xo,

~ Courtney ~

An Update On My Garden/ A Heart-To-Heart/ Making Everyday Things Beautiful

Hello again, friends!

Have you all been doing ok?

I think about you often, and pray you are happy and well!

We've had a lot of stormy, dark days here recently, and in-between rainfalls I've been puttering around in my garden.

This is what it looked like this afternoon...

Do you have a garden?

"A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust." ~ Gertrude Jekyll 

The other day my grandma sent my parents over to my house with some hand-me-downs from her garden...

She gave me this cement birdbath,

and a box of lily of the valley that Nola helped me plant...

I sure hope it's successful! 

"O the green things growing, 

the green things growing, 

the faint sweet smell of the green things growing!

I should like to live, whether I smile or grieve,

just to watch the happy life of my green things growing."

~ Dinah Mulock Craik

I haven't been blogging much lately.

I needed a little break.

My family and I have all been happy and well, but I'll just be honest... I got discouraged.

It seems you can't talk about having a happy home life without someone out there getting their undies in a bundle over it.

*eye roll*

I have been blogging about home living for about a year and a half now, and I've noticed that nothing that I write makes women more mad than the topic of staying home with children.

They tell me that it could be offensive to working moms.

Well, please know that it is never my desire to be offensive!

On the contrary, I've tried really hard over this year and a half to make my blog a positive and uplifting place for my readers!

So, let me just say (with full kindness of heart!) that I will continue to write about home living for stay-at-home moms because that is what I intended for this blog to be about, and what I STILL want it to be about... AND because our world simply does not need any more voices telling moms to leave their homes and go to work.

I do not write from the perspective of wanting to upset working moms and make them feel bad for not staying home...

NO! NO!

I write from the perspective of wanting to encourage women who have already chosen the stay-at-home life!

There are plenty of blogs out there to encourage working moms. I just saw that there was a need for more voices of encouragement for stay-at-home moms, that's all!

*smile*

I hope you understand!

As somebody older and much wiser than me said once, "Not wrong, just different!"

Yes, different!

I like that!

I want my blog to be different.

Different from what our culture says women should do...

Different from where the world says we get our value from...

And different from the popular "Keep It Real" blogs that brag about their messy houses and unruly children.

I enjoy blogs (and books) that challenge and encourage me in my homemaking!

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up." 1 Thess. 5:11a

And I truly hope that you consider your time at my blog an encouragement to you!

One thing that's been on my mind lately as a topic to write about, is how to infuse beauty into everyday life.

A 'trick' that I began doing years ago is to just make the things that I use everyday, beautiful.

For example, after my morning coffee, I switch to ice water and try to be diligent about sipping it throughout the day.

I leave my water glass out on the counter to make it convenient.

When I first got into this habit, I would just grab a plastic cup. But I quickly realized that I didn't like how that looked sitting out!

'Why not use one of my beautiful goblets?' I finally thought one day!

That was several years ago and I've been doing it ever since!

It's also been important to me, throughout my mothering, that my children are being raised on real plates and glasses, too!

I bet you remember the dishes you had growing up...

Do you?

I remember ours!

And doesn't it bring back happy memories of family meals?

Our mothers and grandmothers would never have used paper or plastic plates!

While we're still in the kitchen, I'll show you one more example...

See my glass canisters?

You probably have something similar in your home.

Since it can be easily seen, why not use a beautiful teacup as a scoop instead of something plastic?

Just make your everyday things beautiful!

What I'm showing you are all simple and little things, but you'll find that adding beauty and dignity to the home is often in the details.

This is a shelf in my bathroom...

I have to use cotton balls and Q-tips everyday, so I might as well make it beautiful...

We have to grab school books out of this shelf everyday, so I might as well make it beautiful...

I use tea, sugar, and stir sticks everyday so I might as well make it beautiful...

A lot of these pictures have lilacs because that's what happens to be in full bloom right now.

If you've been following my blog since last summer, you'll know that I keep my home dressed in clippings from my yard from spring till fall. 

It's a commitment. 

I have to switch them out every few days, but I've always considered it worthwhile. Whatever is in bloom gets snipped and brought in!

Another thing I want to mention is that if all you do is just keep the surfaces of your home cleared and wiped off, that would make a huge difference! Don't worry if you're not a great decorator... 

Clean homes are beautiful homes!

Recently I was in a friends' home. The home is not my style but because it was clean and tidy, it looked beautiful to me! The books were straight. The surfaces were cleared off. The blankets on the couch were folded neatly.

There are areas in my home that aren't decorated how I would like them to be, but I felt inspired to not let that stop me from keeping those areas clean and tidy, as well!

Well friends, it is time for me to gather up my kiddos, and get them ready for bed.

Micah's outside mowing, and the kids are playing board games on the family room floor... 

(An example of an area in my home that isn't how I want it to be...)

I've learned that it doesn't matter, though. We are all healthy and happy!

We sure are blessed, aren't we friends?!

Enjoy your home and family...

xo,

~ Courtney ~

A Coffee Bar And Other Stories

You know, I always tend to think that I have nothing to blog about since I'm so preoccupied living life... And the ideas I do have wouldn't be good enough since I'm never accomplishing Pinterest-worthy things... But then I remember that this is a blog about real home-living! And when I take the time to ponder that, then the blog ideas just start flowing.....

We're never doing fancy or impressive things... Just enjoying our home and family; Reading books, sipping coffee, watching birds, playing the piano, cooking meals, doing school lessons, admiring early morning sunlight...

And I realize... THIS is why I blog...

To help teach the younger mama's that they don't need to leave their homes for a career to achieve happiness.  (Titus 2:4-5)  There is much freedom and joy in home living! 

~ Just stay home and love your family! ~

*******

You'll see that we lost our beautiful snow. Old Man Winter is settling down. He is never in a hurry, though. It is still too early for blooms on our trees...

(Look at that bright sky...)

But I am loving the longer, sunnier days!

"A society grows great when men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in." 

~ Greek Proverb ~

This is what our favorite tree looks like right now, but every summer she fills in and droops down, almost touching the ground... Giving us the most wonderful shady get-away!

*********

Did you know that it was my wedding anniversary the other day? 

Micah and I have been married for TEN years!

Aren't ya proud of us, friends?!

(*wink)

We leave next week for our Costa Rica trip, so I want you to know that I'll be taking a bit of a blogging break until we get back. If we're friends on Facebook you'll probably see a few photos come through your feed. I want to try to post a little on there, but other than that I plan to unplug and savor every moment!!!

Because of our upcoming trip, we decided that we wouldn't exchange gifts this year. 

I had a different idea, instead.

Hoping to avoid too much boring detail, I will just quickly give you the brief backstory...

We've had a Keurig coffee maker for years but it has lived in storage because I prefer a brewing pot. We sometimes pull it out at Christmas or other times when we're expecting a large amount of company, and a custom-made cup of coffee or hot chocolate is a nice treat for guests. But Micah has always said how he wished we kept it out all the time. 

I decided to surprise him for our anniversary, and set up his very own coffee bar!

Just a heads up, I do realize that there are photos of beautiful and stylish home coffee bars all over the internet. You've probably seen them. Mine is neither. (*eye roll...)

This is a real-life blog!!! 

I thought about what he uses when he fixes up a cup of coffee for himself, and assembled everything together in one spot.

I didn't buy anything new for this. I used items we already had. I pulled out his favorite mugs, his favorite sugar spoons, and put it all together...

If you're curious, this is what the buffet has always looked like before:

I think it looked much better this way, but the truth is it was useless. If there's a need in the family or a way I can make our home a more enjoyable place to be, than I'd rather give a pretty spot a more meaningful purpose!

My thinking was, We live here! Might as well make it comfortable!

Roman always likes to get involved in whatever projects I'm working on. He asked if he could make a sign for the coffee bar.

I thought it was a good idea, so I let him create it.

I think he did a great job!

Micah was very excited about his coffee bar and I've noticed he's used it everyday since I put it together!

And even though we said, "No gifts," he did come home the night of our anniversary with this beautiful bouquet for me!

Yes, I am lucky! Lucky! We all are, aren't we, girlfriends? 

Husbands, children, homes... 

There's nothing better in this world!

~ "Count your blessings name them one by one..." ~

I decided the dining room table would be a good home for my new bouquet...

I've been enjoying them over the last few days, as well as enjoying candles, coffee, books, music, and all the other wonderful things we get to do in our homes when the weather's still chilly.

But one of my most favorite home activities I enjoy is creating posts for this blog! Because it makes me feel like I'm visiting with sweet friends! You all ARE my friends, you know that, right?! Even if we've never met!

A funny side note, I received a Private message from a gal who's been following my blog. She asked if I'd be willing to meet her for coffee and a chat. She said, "I know we've never met, but I feel like you're my friend!"

Oh, what that meant to me!!! That did my heart a lot of good!

I loved meeting her and visiting with her! And now we are real life friends!

So! Friends... It is late...

And we need our beauty sleep!

I'll be back in a couple of weeks with traveling tales to share...

Until then,

xo,

~ Courtney ~