Bringing Sunshine to a Cloudy Day: A Door, An Old Mirror and a Chair

It has been a dreary, wet and cold weekend

with heavy clouds hanging low.

Some days are like that, 

but I am choosing to

know that there is 

sunshine after rain.

I had to get out of the house

so I did a little browsing 

at the flea market.

I needed an extra chair 

during the holidays 

so I went in search for one

at a cheap price.

I found the wooden straight 

chair with a cane bottom

for $5.

I had a friend to refinish this great piece

to add in front of an old door.

I could have done it for less, 

but just haven't been in the mood for painting.

It was done with Annie Sloan paint.

While I like the little space, 

I felt that something was missing.

I found this great mirror

with pretty etching

and the heavy patina that I love

for only $8.

It is OLD so well worth the price!

I loved the mirror on the old door

and the gray table popped

again the otherwise too-light room.

I recently started collecting old clocks.

None of these work and I'm glad.

The ticking of the wind up ones

keep me awake.

Time is drawing nigh

for this year.

I look forward to a new year, 

with new hope and promise.

Happy New Year, 

Bonnie:)

I thought of parts of a poem by Annie Johnson Flint

 that will carry me through the cloudy days.

God hath not promised skies always blue

Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through.

God hath not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised, strength for the day,

Rest for the laborer, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

Aren't you glad?

The Year in Review

This has been a year of healing.
What started with

brokenness and

shattered dreams,

ended with hope and promise.

It was a year of much emotion-

as I worked out my salvation
"with fear and trembling," and
faced the demons of my past.

It was a year of taking

 three steps forward
and two steps back;

however thankful for
making progress
 one step at a time.

So, I take a moment to
pause and reflect.

In January,
I was a host home for
a Girl's Weekend.

We painted canvases
as a reminder that certain labels
do not define us,
but who we are in Christ does!

In February, I enjoyed a stay in Nashville.
I always love the little touches that
make my daughter and her husband's house a home.

Spring came early this year,
and with it new beginning.
I began to see Promise in the pain.

By April, I could once again BELIEVE-
that roses would bloom again.

In May, we took our annual trip to Hilton Head, SC.
It was different this year-
our first without the children.

Lessons were learned in the quiet.
Sometimes in life, we almost miss the sunset.
The week was a turning point for me.

Mornings before sunrise,
with quiet walks on the beach
were just what I needed
for God to restore to me the joy of my salvation.

June was a month for bridal showers, events, and weddings.
I relished the opportunity to glean new ideas.
I was delighted to find a friend who loved
hobnail milkglass as much as I.

In July,
White Lace and Promises
came home to Hidden Treasures,
the flea market where it all began.

The next month I would lose
my part-time job at the bank.
God, in His wisdom, knew
what I would need.

In August, I partnered with my husband,
to teach the college/career youth.
It has been a blessing.

One of my girls made me this.
I display it to remind myself
to pray for her daily.

This was our last night together
before their journey took them different places.

September was harvest time
and in Georgia "when those cotton
balls get rotten, you can pick very much cotton."

In October, we celebrated
our grandson's birthday.
He napped the afternoon
and we enjoyed Nashville Flea Market's
biggest weekend of the year.

In November,
I got busy with new projects
from wooden pallets.

These were great additions to my booth.

The annual Ladies in Fellowship Together

brought us all together 

as each hostess presented tables 

that represented their personalities.

Somewhere in the midst of the year's activity, 

I turned a corner, 

the heaviness lifted.

and 

I discovered renewed hope and vision.

I hope the New Year is a Happy One.

I anticipate NEW BEGINNINGS, 

Bonnie:)

A New Header

Looking for a new header

and must have deleted more photos 

than I thought.

Sharing some from my blog.  

Maybe you can help me decide on 

what to put in my header. 

This was done by Rebecca at A Gathering Place.

I think I've found it.

What do you think?

Bonnie:)

Remembering the Simple

The second half of my children 

are still here.

They are getting ready to spend 

a few minutes with their grandmother 

while I am enjoying a few moments of quiet-

a chance to pause and reflect.

My daughter painted the frame, added the burlap,
and the silver leaf ornament.

After reading my last post, 

I realize how depressing it must have sounded.

I am brutally honest to a fault 

when I share my raw emotions.

Today I choose to be thankful-

thankful for the simple pleasures...

Thankful for the simplicity of a child-like faith

that sustains me through the incredibly stifling places.

Thankful for the small things that

remind me of Christmases past,

gone but not forgotten.

My heart swells with pride for these

and these.

And precious memories of these.

May God give us peace 

as we remember

what will no longer be.

Happy New Year, 

Bonnie 

Merry Christmas, Darling

The greeting cards have all been sent.

The Christmas rush is through, 

But I still have one wish to make,

A special one for you...

One of my favorite Carpenter's Christmas songs-

Merry Christmas, Darling.

Tonight I have a lonely, homesick feeling.

Homesick for family.

After three years without them,

it's now hard to continue the traditions 

that my parents held so dear.

This Christmas was a hard one.

Someone once wrote, 

"We put the FUN is dysFUNctional."

I don't feel the fun.

I'm beginning to believe that every family

has some dysfunction.

But it's not fun and it doesn't feel good.

The season began and ended 

with misunderstanding, tension, and distance.

While Jesus came to bring,
"Peace on earth, goodwill toward man,"

I'm feeling sad and with little peace.

Merry Christmas, Darling.

We're apart, that's true.

But I can dream, and in my dreams,

I'm Christmasing with you...

There are things I can't share and won't.

I will say that our parents were the glue that held us together.

Oh, how I miss them tonight.

I know the lights that I see now can't compare, but I still sing,

The lights on my tree, 

I wish you could see;

I wish it every day.

A few moments with you, would put all things in perspective.

The logs on the fire

Fill me with desire 

To see you and to say

That I wish you Merry Christmas

Happy New Year too.

So, for now...
I'll treasure my memories
And pray for restoration and reconciliation

And wish you a Merry Christmas.
Happy New Year Too!

Bonnie:)

Merry Christmas from White Lace and Promises

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Bonnie:)

A Wonderful Christmas Time

The second set of children are home, 

my daughter, SIL, and Charlie, our Grand Dog.

Last year, we arrived in Nashville

only to find their kitchen in flames

and a smoked-filled house.

They were so distraught

and disappointed that they weren't able

to share their Christmas decorations.

This year they brought their home to GA.

This is my favorite spot in their home.

Love the combination of blues, silvers, glass

and lights with a few elements of nature thrown in.

The live tree in their den is always beautiful.

This year they added a burlap tree skirt.

LOVE!

Sweet the way the reflection of lights

show in the mirror.

A hurricane lamp filled with cranberries 

and a candle as my Connor would say, 

"shmells good."

A simple, piece of evergreen

adds a big touch 

of elegance.

A tree here...

and a tree there,

makes for a wonderful, Christmas time.

Other Sweet Nothings to Come, 

Bonnie:)

A Hand-made Ornament and a Smile

Half of my children were here for the weekend

and the other half will be here for Christmas Day.

I've told my children for years, 

"All I want is for Christmas is to have my children near

and a photo of my babies or 

a sentimental ornament to hang on my tree

every year."

This year I got all I wanted.

This was made by my sweet DIL 

and painted by my sweet grandson.

MY DIL made this for me at a shop 

in Nashville called "Fired Up."

The balls are Connor's little fingerprints.

What a treasure!

This smile is worth MORE than a thousand words!

Merry Christmas to YOU, 

Bonnie:)

A Touch of This and That

Didn't really do much decorating this year. 

Just a touch of this and a touch of that. 

I've found that a compote is the best way

to display a little of this and that.

This ceramic tree sat atop my parents

TV for as many years as I can remember.

Before the estate sale, we could not find 

the base to the tree.

I wanted it anyway.

Later when selling the house, 

we found it in a closet.  

This is one of my most treasured possessions. 

The ball jars with a strip of burlap

tied in a knot and entwined with berries from a spray

were used originally as tea lights.

I later added fresh clippings of evergreen

and added to my rustic faux mantel.

I brought the massive tool box home

and used it for a while.

Then changed it back to my original design,

adding the greenery and balls. 

 Waiting for my GRANDbaby to come to GA tomorrow.  

My Christmas with then be Merry, 

Bonnie:)