Assortment

With What You Have | 27

 

Words about contentment inspired this series that celebrates ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness. Join me in the comments and share what you've done with what you have.  

 

Borrowed studio lights, a borrowed lens, a tripod, a working knowledge of my entry-level DSLR, and a willingness to take hundreds of shots resulted in the photo tours of our little house that so many have come to love.

I'm not a professional photographer, but I am a photgrapher who aspires to capture keen images that describe life, emotion, and story. I do this by trial and error, heavy on the error. If I've aced a shot, it's largely because there were twenty before it that I did't. 

 

My faithful camera is old now, by digital standards, and with my growing ability and developing eye, I've certainly noticed the shine of the latest and greatest that Canon has to offer, but my reality is that I am where I am, I have what I have, and when I consider where I would be without it, it's a pretty good place to be. 

 

 

 

So, this week, as I set up to capture some new shots of myself (so hard!), it was my faithful that I attached to the tripod. 

 

Do what you can with what you have. 

Merchandise links provided are affiliate.  

 

 

 

Have you been looking for a tastefully designed, small house plan that lives large? You may just find what you've been seeking in the newly-released Shelter Collection - four small floor plans designed for gracious living in 900-1400 square feet, the first, second, & third have released, the fourth is coming soon. Peruse the collection here. 

 

 

Lit Wicks

 

When the world is shades of nutmeg, russet, and gold; when the flood of  leaves has gone ankle deep and its waves swish as you wade through; when frost floats through the dead of night, shaking sparkles over every blade, branch, and stem, it's time to light a fire. 

While a bank of split, sappy wood flaming over a grate in the cavern of a fireplace is what you may be picturing right now (I know I am), its good to remember that a single flame on a cotton wick is as much a fire as its lofty counterpart. For those of us who don't have the satisfaction of a fireplace, we can still have the satisfaction of a fire. Thankfully, the emotion found in gathering, in warmth, in hushed contemplation by a flame is not dependant upon its size.  

  

While a candle in any form can provide a lovely pool of light, drippy beeswax tapers in tarnished brass candle sticks is a combination not easily forgotten. You won't be surprised, then, to know that I have two sets of brass candle sticks in one room or other throughout the house. What may surprise you, though, is that I've added to my collection with this recent acquisition: a pair of vintage brass expanding-arm candle sconces. Gah! I'd patiently hunted for something like these for quite some time, and when an ebay seller accepted my low offer, you can imagine my delight. 

I have just the place for them. 

 

Find beeswax tapers here and here. 

Besides this recent score, my brass candle sticks were thrifted finds.

 

And here, for you, is a bit more candle sconce inspiration...

 

 

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Have you been looking for a tastefully designed, small house plan that lives large? You may just find what you've been seeking in the newly-released Shelter Collection - four small floor plans designed for gracious living in 900-1400 square feet, the first & second have released, the third and fourth are coming soon. Peruse the collection here. 

 

 

 

Regarding Rest

 

It wasn't all about lounging in the hammock, creekside, but thank goodness some of it was. That Sunday rest (or Saturday, or Tuesday afternoon, however it may be), that vital component of our lives is (sadly) so easily traded for doing instead of being.

Why, oh, why can moments with a book feel like a guilty pleasure? Why must we believe that always being in motion is somehow better than being still? 

Gracious, let's not live like this.

Let's observe the sabbath our souls need, the rest our minds and bodies crave. If it's only thirty minutes, let it be the most luxurious thirty of the day. If it's sixty, let it be the most restorative. If it's an afternoon, let it be longer than its hours. 

(Re)guard rest. Pause, in order to go once again.

 

Wishing you a gentle week's beginning, friends. May you remember rest. 

 

 

Have you been looking for a tastefully designed, small house plan that lives large? You may just find what you've been seeking in the newly-released Shelter Collection - four small floor plans designed for gracious living in 900-1400 square feet, the first & second have released, the third and fourth are coming soon. Peruse the collection here.