Comfort in words ..

Praying for Moore, Oklahoma ... 

Time, Love & Peace

If you are like me, the pollen has nearly killed you! Thankful for the rain we are getting today ... and for a relaxing morning to finish up my "to do's"! Looking forward to a weekend with great friends, family and my hubby!

Here are few pictures that I have bookmarked ... Just love these kitchens!

Heydt Designs

warmingtonandnorth

Dresser Homes

Sally Wheat Interiors

Happy Friday!

'Tis the Season … How did it get here so QUICKLY?!?!

It has been a while ... a long while! Wonderful things have happened, and here we are again at the most wonderful time of the year! What better way to start this post than with this master bedroom? If you don't know Atlanta Home & LifeStyles, you should! These are some of the most exquisite homes I have ever seen, starting with this dark navy master bedroom, accented with a canopy bed and gold chandelier that is shaped very much like branches and antlers. I am in love with the whole room! Imagine coming home from a long day and escaping to these soft sheets and a fire, good book/tablet, with no other connections to the world  … 

This looks like a great place to have a cocktail party on a mid-saturday afternoon … Any of you Mommies GAME? I'm thinking a "Mrs. Tatum", lemon-cello with a sugar rim …   

How can you not love this bathroom below? It is the home of one of my dearest friends and where I spent several very special hours on my wedding day. The home of Dr. Mark and Dana Gray has been intricately designed by his expertly, talented wife Dana with her passion for blues, checks, and french antiques, and last but not least surrounding the house with english gardens. Dana Gray Designs can been seen in the upcoming Shelby County Living where they debut their home in the December 2012 issue as they prepare for the holiday season! Please pick up a copy of the magazine to see the extreme talent that Dana brings to Shelby County, Shoal Creek and our community. But ... just for a sneak peak, and a glimpse into the best day of my life, here are a few shots! And to know me is to know I love robins egg blue and a MARBLE bathroom!!!!!! Let's not overlook the custom linen blue drapes that keep the sun just from peaking in. This is any woman's heaven!!!

We have to slap ourselves out of it and remember that men need a nice oasis, too … um … "To themselves" …. Here they are … in my opinion looking like KINGS!!! The colors and the marble are beautiful! I love how the bold brown and caramel marble is complimented by the green tones and incorporated with the geometric print, as well. The windows let in plenty of light to start the day, just the right space to sip a cup of coffee and prepare yourself to take over the world!

I love any rich colored paint with gold accents, especially when the are paired with honeycomb white tile in the bathroom that gives the impression of modern, class with a superior sophistication! 

How creative! Upgrading a small corner with a linen ruched drape cloth and an extremely hip wallpaper pattern that will do work wonders on any bathroom such as this! Love!

This is the exact room I would want to be in in the early Fall, with the doors open allowing the cool fall air to creep in as I snuggle up with a cup of joe and an old classic like "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles. If you have never read this book, I highly recommend it, especially after high school and even college! The story is very compelling, relatable, and at the same time witty boyish fun. Add it to your Santa's Wish List! A Santa List just as adorable as this … 

As life unfolds we are individually writing our own stories, each and every day. As you go throughout your day I encourage you to help others as they write the stories of their own lives. A smile, a hug, a helping hand can work miracles … especially in the life of a child. 

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." 

- Proverbs 22:6

In closing, I will leave you with a few pictures of our favorite day! Just a hint … golf is ingrained in the family! I hope you enjoy … 

Our first time seeing each other that day … 

We both love to play golf, and the day wouldn't have been complete without a Titleist involved!

 

What a celebration! Back soon with my "IT LIST" this holiday season!!

Enjoy time with family and friends!

Thankfully,

* All wedding pictures provided by Gresham Photography at www.simple-color.com
* Hors d'oeuvres and cocktails created by Satterfields Restaurant

* Cake by Sweet Spot Confections in Birmingham, Alabama

* Monogrammed Pastry Bites made by Pastry Art - Birmingham, Alabama

* Cake Topper from Wedding Etc - Melissa Hill in Homewood, Alabama

* Brides Gown from Bella Couture in Mount Laurel, Alabama

* Flowers designed by Jean Brown

* Confetti Poppers from Anthropologie's BHLDN

Remembering Pure Innocence

My thoughts have been here for weeks, my heart heavy laden for a friend and family that long to be reunited with an angel, their angel. On November 6, 2010, my dear friend Kristin, husband Cannon and their son Parrish lost their precious baby girl, Olivia Charles Prickett, to SIDS. As a friend, I can in no way understand their pain or know what day-to-day life means for them and the obstacles they face. My memories of this tragedy are vivid and over time do not seem to fade.  It's times like these where you struggle to find the words to express your deep sorrow and you want so badly to take their pain away. Even still I struggled to know what they would need in the way of prayers because I felt they needed everything our Lord could provide and more. I remember asking the Lord to shelter and comfort them during this unimaginable time, filing the hole in their hearts with only His perfect love. Without doubt my prayers were answered and God continues to watch over this sweet family. I have witnessed the Lord work through Kristin and Cannon and their foundation to not only help them survive their own tragedy, but to help other families cope with pain, suffering and loss similar to theirs.

For those who knew Olivia, her contagious smile was complimented by a laugh that brought joy to anyone in her presence. Today, her light lives on and touches the lives of many through the her parent's faith and God's pure grace. I ask that you please continue to pray for The Pricketts during this difficult time and especially the holiday season.

Psalm 119:28 “My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.”

Psalm 119:41 “May your unfailing love come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your promise.”

Psalm 119:50 “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”


Remembering Olivia, 

One Unexpected Journey

I just love when you start the weekend with no real plans and you find yourself in a place like this! Saturday was an exceptionally gorgeous day here in Birmingham, with the temperatures in the 50's and a cool crisp air. Whenever I am asked "What is your favorite season?", my reply has always been "any season that isn't an extreme!" Spring and Fall are absolutely beautiful in the south, but Fall is especially a favorite and it is easy to see why. When rounding the corner onto this peaceful road I immediately said "I need a picture of this" (for those of you who know my Father - it seems that I have become him in that statement!!).

For years, my idea dream house would always have a road like this as a driveway. There is something about the color of the leaves, the trees and the beautiful canopy that they create. Who wouldn't want to come home to something like this? Life is full of winding roads, all leading to one unexpected journey. Capturing this picture brings me to passages such as these. 

"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:5

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the paths for his name's sake. Even though I will walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:1-4

Happy Monday ...