Good Vibes

[bèlla]

Easy Ocean Painting Tutorial for Beginners

Today we'll be painting a realistic ocean with acrylics.

 

[GOD Shines Forth!]

Reorganizing My Cottage

I wanted to share a little bit while reorganizing my bookshelves and talking about my love of books and art, and while I find it to be a very therapeutic pastime. I felt a need to pick myself up this week after a lightening storm started a lot of fires, so it felt right to indulge myself in some of my favorite pastimes and share some of what I love with you.

Decluttering always sounds great to me. When it comes down to it, I get bogged down.

Years ago a friend relayed to me that Le Corbusier said instead of many items scattered throughout a house, there should just be a few choice ones. Fran Lebowitz poked fun at this in a essay on looking for an apartment in New York. She and a friend viewed one that was so hi tech it looked like "Sloan-Kettering" and had a black lacquered dinner table so unreal it begged for "Pirelli dinner guests". She imagined her Grandmother and friends sneaking in there and pinning up doilies all over the place to humanize it.

Extremes! Where does the balance lie between homey, wall to wall clutter and alienating minimalism?

 

[bèlla]

Decluttering always sounds great to me. When it comes down to it, I get bogged down.

Take a sheet of paper and make three columns:

Most used
Used occasionally
Rarely used

Begin with the rarely used objects. Are they heirlooms? Sentimental? Or things you used to do or didn't get around to doing? What would you add in its place that you'd really appreciate? Something that would fit in column one?

A couple of years ago I purged a lot of books. Some of them were Christian. That seemed odd to a few. But I subscribe to Scribd, use Hoopla Digital, the public library, Audible, and purchase a lot of Kindle books. I don't need a physical copy of everything. Many of the titles are accessible digitally. Getting rid of them allowed me to add other things I really wanted. Like a beverage bar and sideboard.

I'm not a minimalist. But I don't want a house full of stuff I never use. Or one stuffed to the gills either. Quality and utility are my barometers.

Extremes! Where does the balance lie between homey, wall to wall clutter and alienating minimalism?

I'm not a fan of clutter or seeing all my possessions. I like aesthetically pleasing rooms with some accessibility and the majority tucked away. The eyes need a place to rest. If every morsel is stimulating it feels overwhelming and you don't appreciate what you're seeing.

What constitutes homey for one differs for another. My home is photo friendly. It needs to look good in images and video. That's part of my work. But if you're not doing the same you needn't go to that extreme. When you look in magazines or the Internet you need to factor in your lifestyle. Does the decor complement my life or complicate it? You've gotta maintain it.

Start small. Deal with the stuff you rarely use and go from there. It's better to declutter before you organize. Once the excess is gone you'll view the space differently and have a clearer idea of what you want.

 

[bèlla]

What is Slow Living?

Slow living is a mindset whereby you curate a more meaningful and conscious lifestyle that’s in line with what you value most in life.

By slowing down and intentionally placing your true values at the heart of your lifestyle, a slow living mindset encourages you to live in self-awareness and make conscious, purposeful decisions for the benefit of your own well-being and that of the planet.

Slow living means living better, not faster. It denies that being busy equates to being successful or important, both at work and in your free time. It disputes the phrase ‘I’m too busy’ and recognizes that to make more time for what you truly enjoy or for more self-care, sometimes, something else has to give.

It means slowing down to switch off auto-pilot and instead tune into yourself and others. It means living with intent and not striving to keep up with the Joneses or living up to someone else’s idea of success.

History of the Slow Movement

Slow living is part of the wider slow movement which began in the 1980s in Italy. Faced with the opening of a McDonald’s in the heart of Rome, Carlo Petrini and a group of activists formed Slow Food, a movement that defends regional food traditions. The slow food movement now has supporters in over 150 countries and continues to protect gastronomic traditions, promote fair pay for producers, encourage enjoyment of good quality food and engage in activities around sustainability.

Slow Food has sparked a broader slow living movement that encompasses our entire way of life, although there are other prominent strands. One of these is slow travel which encourages making a greater connection with the destinations visited when traveling. As we discover that faster isn’t always better, other areas of our lifestyles are adopting the word ‘slow’. Slow fashion, slow fitness, slow gardening, slow interiors and slow design are further examples which adopt slow living principles and sustainability considerations.

Common Misconceptions About Slow Living

Slow living isn’t about living life at a snail’s pace. It’s about assigning the right amount of time to each task or activity.

Slow living isn’t just for those who live in the country. Slow living is a mindset for everyone, whether your home is in a bustling capital city or a hamlet.

Slow living isn’t at odds with being successful or productive. Rather, it’s about living up to your own idea of success and prioritizing what’s most important to you.

Slow living doesn’t mean going tech-free. It means ensuring technology is serving us, not distracting us, and acknowledges the need for screen downtime in the digital age.

 

[GOD Shines Forth!]

Take a sheet of paper and make three columns:

Most used
Used occasionally
Rarely used

Begin with the rarely used objects. Are they heirlooms? Sentimental? Or things you used to do or didn't get around to doing? What would you add in its place that you'd really appreciate? Something that would fit in column one?

A couple of years ago I purged a lot of books. Some of them were Christian. That seemed odd to a few. But I subscribe to Scribd, use Hoopla Digital, the public library, Audible, and purchase a lot of Kindle books. I don't need a physical copy of everything. Many of the titles are accessible digitally. Getting rid of them allowed me to add other things I really wanted. Like a beverage bar and sideboard.

I'm not a minimalist. But I don't want a house full of stuff I never use. Or one stuffed to the gills either. Quality and utility are my barometers.



I'm not a fan of clutter or seeing all my possessions. I like aesthetically pleasing rooms with some accessibility and the majority tucked away. The eyes need a place to rest. If every morsel is stimulating it feels overwhelming and you don't appreciate what you're seeing.

What constitutes homey for one differs for another. My home is photo friendly. It needs to look good in images and video. That's part of my work. But if you're not doing the same you needn't go to that extreme. When you look in magazines or the Internet you need to factor in your lifestyle. Does the decor complement my life or complicate it? You've gotta maintain it.

Start small. Deal with the stuff you rarely use and go from there. It's better to declutter before you organize. Once the excess is gone you'll view the space differently and have a clearer idea of what you want.

Great advice! Thanks

 

[bèlla]

Great advice! Thanks

My pleasure.

 

[bèlla]

The Awakening

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. —Proverbs 31:25

 

[GOD Shines Forth!]

The Awakening

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. —Proverbs 31:25

"Feminine light" brought to mind the fashion photography of Sarah Moon…

 

[bèlla]

"Feminine light" brought to mind the fashion photography of Sarah Moon…

I like the smoky eyes! Great choice.

 

[bèlla]

The Luttrell Psalter
A Year in a Medieval English Village

Completed over 10 years ago and now remastered, the Luttrell Psalter film brings the famous 14th century illustrations to life and shows a year of working and living in a medieval village.

Guided by the detailed and often humorous images of everyday life from the Luttrell Psalter, the Luttrell Psalter Film gives a unique glimpse of a year in the life of a medieval English village. Filmed over four seasons, it shows the changing landscape with its fields and flowers, and the daily activities which dominated the lives of our forefathers.

This 20-minute film draws on over 35 different images from the margins of the manuscript, allowing the people from the Psalter to walk out from its vellum pages.

 

[bèlla]

Refined Modern Farmhouse

I like the floor to ceiling windows, clean lines, and elegance. The space is ideal for entertaining.

Designer Nikki Fisher-Gigault takes you inside this dreamy family home flooded with natural light. See how she channelled the traditional farmhouse aesthetic, while incorporating more contemporary details for a refined look.

The black-framed windows, stunning sightlines and pops of blue-grey — on everything from the kitchen cabinets to the built-ins in the home office — make the crisp interior really sing. You’ll love the principal bedroom’s statement hardwood ceiling and the ensuite’s Instagram-worthy view of the lush property from the stand-alone tub.

 

[bèlla]

The Call

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” —Acts 13:2

 

[bèlla]

Strawberry Season

In today's video: Strawberry picking. Wonderful morning baking Strawberry Pie. The smell of strawberries fresh from the oven. Pressing flowers - a beautiful way to preserve memories of the growing season.

 

[bèlla]

Honey Garlic Shrimp

Honey garlic shrimp is undoubtedly a dinner favorite! Juicy shrimp are coated in a savory-sweet n' garlicky glaze. And the best part? It's done in about 20 minutes!

 

[bèlla]

Tomato & Ricotta Crostini

I cannot get enough of tomatoes during the summer, and these rustic, crunchy, toasted bruschette with juicy tomatoes and ricotta work well as an appetizer or even a light lunch. You can prepare them all in advance and pop them in the oven when your guests arrive.

 

[bèlla]

The Summer Kitchen

 

[bèlla]

Gardening Bullet Journal Theme

 

[bèlla]

Chocolate Strawberry No Bake Cheesecake

 

[bèlla]

Musings

Last night was a little peculiar. I felt the Lord hovering but He was silent. I didn't say much either. I laid still and listened. I recalled recent experiences and how He revealed His desires differently. Is it a new way of relating, rekindling the old, or a bit of both?

I see the growing presence of a contemplative essence. It isn't new. It's been simmering beneath the surface for awhile. Maybe the broth reached the right temperature and its ready to consume. I hadn't considered that. Now I'm laughing.

Sometimes God tells us to do things and it doesn't make sense. We don't see the road ahead or what He's up to. When we look closer He's provided a glimmer in the past. A message we jotted down. An unexpected desire. Or an idea that arrived out of the blue. More than likely He's the author.

Documentation is powerful. One of the best lessons He provided was lectio. Having a record of my quiet time and His instruction is priceless. I have a physical witness of His counsel and faithfulness. I see His wisdom and behold the results of heeding it in the past and present. He's kept me more than I realized. What a loving Father.

It isn't the things I've said or modest requests that stand out the most. It's the unspoken desires that shake me. They bring me to my knees. Because He knows me. He understands the longings and the little things that bring me joy. They weren't ignored. He's using them to reach others for His glory.

When I watch a cooking or fashion show or see a decorating project unfold. Encounter a different culture or someone working in the garden happily; something inside of me springs to life. My heart leaps and the spirit quickens. And I want to do the same. I want to share their experiences with the world.

That isn't a coincidence. Some would have us believe we aren't serving unless we're leading a bible study or doing missionary work. They don't see beyond the church and rarely encourage a path that isn't religious or connected to a ministry. They forget God is everywhere. Wherever you go you carry Him with you.

The next time you go to work, grab a bite to eat, or go to gym; spread some seed. Leave a dollop of kindness or encouragement for those you encounter. Let them see the Christ in you. Give them a smile, laughter, or a heartfelt thank you. You're probably one of the few who will. That a makes a difference. It primes the heart for the next and the next and so on. That's how souls are won. One drop at a time.

 

[bèlla]

Sable Cookies

Icebox cookies are a wonderful treat. They’re a nice accompaniment for coffee and tea or late night cravings. If you’re making several batches for later use; divide them in half or smaller portions for greater selection.