My Dad...celebrating with our Heavenly Father!

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Today would have been my Dad’s 88^th birthday...

  It is with overflowing emotion that I pen this entry. 
There are endless things to say about this man who rode like a knight in shining armor into my mother’s mid-life.

~ I know it sounds cliché ~

But had you been there, you would have heard the saving gallop as it approached!

 

And after he introduced himself and fell head over hills, he set out to fill her heart with all the love that should have been poured out to her the first 40 something years and loved her without ceasing for another 33 and more!

 

 He also, without hesitation, accepted her almost grown children, one who had a bit more growing up to do than the others shall remain unnamed!  

He blessed us all with his generous wisdom, unconditional love and support. 

But above all, his devotion to my oldest son Tyler was beyond measure.  
Don’t get me wrong, he was a wonderful “Pop” to all 10 grandchildren and 8.2 great grandchildren.   He loved them each in his own unpredictable way, but always set an example of strength, straightforward honesty, and faithfulness.

 There are so many lessons and attitudes he taught; some interesting, some funny, some helpful but most...essential.

He personified “what you see is what you get”. 

One of his favorite quips was “if they don’t put a penny in your pocket, don’t worry about them”, actually I think it was a dollar?(grin!)  Evidence of his strong work ethic and unshakable confidence!   He loved to be the boss and excelled at it, except where Mom was concerned; he claimed he had no choice, but we all knew better!  

 

I never knew him as a worrier, 
concerned but never worried.

Believe me, the girls in his life had the worry thing covered!

Maybe it's because he knew,
God's got this!

In this final year as he battled lung cancer, he made known to us on several occasions...

his favorite scripture, Matthew 6:25-34

 

Do Not Worry

²⁵ “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
²⁸ “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; ²⁹ and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
³¹ “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

 

There were so many times in my life after he entered it, that I couldn’t have made it through without his constant and abiding presence.  He supported me when I came home to have Tyler and he loved that boy with a heart like no other. 

His lessons of love for family and faith will live on in all of my guys, because he was there for each of them in more ways than I can express.

   

 

I can only hope and pray that he knew the blessing he was to me throughout my life and to all of us throughout his 88 years…

So wish it could have been more, but so grateful for the years we had!

Happy Birthday to one extraordinary earthly Father!

I just know that God’s face is shining upon you and you are shining on all of us!

Gracefully blessed to call you Dad!

GraceReclaimed Sunshine...

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With the rain came the shine and a bunch of lovely loyals!

 

 

As seems to be the case each year; with iffy forecast, little sleep and a full heart, I open my home for this annual event...
Glad to say this year, the sun came out and so did many precious clients and friends! 

 

I cannot thank everyone enough for braving the weather and the Tomball Holiday Parade traffic to attend the 2015 GraceReclaimed Christmas Trunk Show! 
 

 

Every year, from the early arrivers to the last minute shoppers; I love visiting, but hate it when I miss an opportunity to chat because I'm on a ladder or running for more items to fill an empty space.  So my apologies to those who I didn't get to catch up with!  But please know that you are so appreciated and a true blessing to this designer/creator/collector of treasures/maker of things!

 

I spent yesterday afternoon, napping wandering around the place straightening what little was left of my wares and rearranging areas where I sold things unintended.  I love that ya'll love my stuff! 

 

And each fall when the time comes to start deciding whether to host another, all I have to do is remember the blessings you are to me and my decision is made!

 

So, to each and everyone of you, have a full of blessing Thanksgiving and a wonderful God filled Christmas! 

 

Most sincerely and in God's gracious care, B

GraceReclaimed 2015 Christmas Trunk Show Update...

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The old Charlton place is almost ready….

I know I promised to blog about GraceReclaimed’s upcoming event!  But I find myself so caught up in catching up that I’ve hardly had time to think…much less put pen to paper/fingertips to keyboard!     

And honestly, these days there have been much more important things to think about and focus on than my trunk show shenanigans…

Life can be so hard ~ but God is always so good!

 

 

But, just so you know, I’ve been soaking up the songs of Christmas and working steadily to get ready for Saturday and all my wonderful friends and clients.  

The forecast says a chance of rain, but I'm choosing shine and opening the doors either way!

Can’t wait to see each and every one of you!

 

Yours in God's gracious care, B

GraceReclaimed Trunk Show or bust!

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It is that time of year, yes just around the weekend corner…

 

Saturday I’ll be listening to these two crazy guys perform their senior concert!

 

 

And later sharing what’s left of my Trick or Treat Candy with the grand~babes.

 Then there is no turning back!

 

Calendar full and

latest creations half-begun/finished/still in my head…

I’m anxious to get going. 

 

First things first, got my Christmas CDs out to polish them up, then decided in the interest of time

Pandora will be my go to for seasonal listening pleasure.  

Yes in November...I may wait until Monday!

 

You might recall some Stitching that went on earlier this year, 

A few of these Texas beauties are complete for the show…ShabbyGirlFlags anyone?

 

 

Christmas Trunk Show evites to come, keep an eye out my friends.  If you would like to receive one with all the details, just email me or comment below!

 

Reclaiming my sewing closet and graciously saying “booked” or trying to! B

Bed Making...A Lost Art!

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I have realized of late that bed making is becoming a lost art! 

Having all boys, I never thought about it being a necessary lesson to pass on, but maybe I should have!

You see, there is nothing more satisfying to me than jumping out of bed in the morning, smoothing the sheets, tucking in the edges, straightening the coverlet, fluffing the pillows and placing them just so...Then glancing at it over my shoulder as I head to the kitchen for my first cup of coffee!

~Thank you St. Philip~

I know it sounds a bit, well, obsessive and No, I don't do this every day.....But 

 

I thought I would write a little post for

 anyone who didn't get a lesson growing up 

or for those who just love a well dressed bed!

 

 

 Tuesday Morning always has a great selection of reasonably priced high end sheets.  Think about it, how often do you buy sheets?  Invest in good quality!
Iron if you like!  It's that hot appliance some people use to get wrinkles out.
Way smaller than the dryer, has a cord, requires a padded board..ring any bells?

  

 

I call these my throw down pillows....new standard, queen or king pillow forms in fresh pillow cases; never used, just thrown on the bench at the foot of our bed before bedtime!

They give the impression of a drool~free household!

 

Notice the silk pillow cover...I love it.
My hair is not so frightful in the a.m. and it seems to keep sleep wrinkles at bay~ 

 

 

I add a blanket in the winter months, just in case the air conditioner cuts off and it gets below 70.

 

 

It doesn't have to be a white matelassé coverlet, just a washable cotton coverlet that gives you a clean fresh look and is comfortable to sleep under if needed! Add matching shams to keep things cohesive!

 

 THE KEY AND I KEEP REPEATING MYSELF I KNOW,

 IS NEW PILLOW FORMS FOR YOUR "NOT FOR SLEEPING" PILLOWS!

Hit Walmart or Target, they're a dime a dozen or close!

 

 My Comforter Soap Box (read if you have time!)

There are some beautiful duvet covers and sumptuous fluffy comforters out there;

be they bargain sets or slightly expensive pieces.

But let's face it, they are not really washable, maybe not even truly dry cleanable!

  Oh yes, it may say so on the care instructions, but washer beware.  Sleep under it, let your kids play on it or even worse your pets find it comfy...

No problem you say, I'll just throw it in the wash or buy stock in my local cleaners!
Well think again.

Your beautiful bedding will be transformed into a shrunken or lumpy faded version of its former self!  

So as I advise my clients, layer those pieces with a cotton coverlet, problem solved!
 

 

And there you have it...BedDressing 101
Whether you wanted it or not, I just had to!
Additional reading on the subject: HouseBeautiful, SouthernLiving, JUST IN CASE!

So,  Dress your Bed
You'll be surprised at the welcoming effect it can have on you at bedtime!
 

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

 Matthew 11:28-30 

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Proverbs 3:24   

 

Comforting and grace filled dreams to you, B     

Oh, I almost forgot... 

If you were looking for a post or update on my 2015 GraceReclaimed Christmas Trunk Show?

 I promise, I'm on it!  November 20 or 21st, possibly both!!

More information and teasers to come! 
Just keep following!

October flew in on her broom....

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I’ve decided that this is truly the bewitching month…

October sneaks in each year, almost unexpectedly, sweeping all remnants of September aside in a flash with her trusty broom!
It’s as if she uses the heat of our Texas summer to ignite her ride in and get fall started, but in the rush forgets to bring the cool weather along!

Of course, I’m always caught a bit off guard! 
 Not sure why, because I love fall!  So I’m going for pumpkins tomorrow and running past all the Halloween candy in the stores!  Then I’ll be rushing to finish all my client work so I can ready myself for this year’s

Grace Reclaimed Christmas Trunk Show!
Pencil me in please for

....November 20th!!!!

I started a little project last week, just to get my feet toasty…

No animals were harmed in the making of this wreath!

Then found myself eyeing the magnolia leaves being cut from my neighbor’s trees on Monday with visions of garland dancing in my head!  I pleeeeased St. Philip into asking the tree guy if he would mind loading our truck instead of his with the cuttings….and I was off!

Just a smidgen of my cuttings!

 

The remnants!

 

Garland anyone?

I know, I know, they will be brown soon!  But I just had to try my hand and I am praying they carry me into the holidays with their wonderful waxy winter warmth!

Anyway, I'm getting in the spirit and creating my plan...

because like everyone else is proclaiming,

Hey Y’all ~ It’s Fall!

 

Gracefully wiggling my nose, B!

 

Gala Creating....

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It’s that time of year, August 31^st, when I start my “busyness” season! 

Clients start calling with “step on it” needs for the upcoming holidays,

while ideas start swirling in my already

“B overloaded mind” for the annual GraceReclaimed Christmas Trunk Show…

yes I said it, Christmas!!!   

Me and Hobby Lobby, we’re like that!

But first things first...

I’ve been working on a very worthwhile project.

I was asked to help with the first annual Camp Blessing Texas Gala,

 to be held at the beyond gorgeous Chandelier Grove in Tomball.

 

 

This is a wonderful local organization that hosts an extraordinary Christian summer camp for individuals with special needs.  I have heard so many beautiful stories about their journey and their mission.  I feel extremely blessed to be part of the team planning the gala, which will help fund their new camp in Magnolia, Texas.

With just a few months to prepare, we are working feverishly to make it a night to remember and an over the top successful event.  Our worst best problem is we are pushing maximum seating for the venue and we are scrambling to decorate on a bit of a wing and a prayer. 

 
Just the kind of challenge I love.

So with Build a Blessing, it’s not just brix and styx as the original theme….

I’m workin’ on it!

These are the building blocks or should I stay sticks…

 

(Who knew I could be proficient with a hammer and a chisel?)

 

These are the center pieces. I know ~ wood plateaus, so yesterday…

 

But have you seen gold and platinum leaf edged plateaus before? Creating....!!!

 

We’re depending on nature to provide the breath, God is so good like that!

 

I’ll post the final look for your perusal after the event.

 

In the meantime, I ask that you please pray for my stamina and creativity,

 but mostly for Camp Blessing; it’s selfless leaders, the new camp in Magnolia, their precious campers, each awesome volunteer and the many wonderful people that make up this family full of God’s hands and feet!

 

Graciously blessed beyond measure to be a part of the love! B