of anchors and encouragement; somethings

Something Blue: I'm nearly finished painting Joe's room. He has not moved in yet, but the poster of Neil Armstrong already shouts that the room belongs to him.

The boys and I returned from a long, long journey Friday evening. I was exhausted, but not overwhelmed. I was so thankful to come home on a Friday with three days ahead of me to get rest, process laundry and chat with my husband, whom I missed horribly.

Our trip was long and lovely, stretching and straining, fun and adventurous. I had an overwhelming sense of thankfulness of everything "home" when we arrived.

All of these things, they are my anchors, they encourage me to press on towards a life of beauty and joy of cultivating home.

And I'm sharing on a little meme over at A Mother's Journal, what is encouraging to me today. It's just what I want to tell you about.

Something Old: I'm getting a lot of use out of these sweet little garden shoes these days. They make me happy just looking at them.

Something New: at our Classical Conversations practicum I purchased a new stack of books. I've put them in their own little pile so that I can work my way through. Last night I picked up Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea"... I like it already.

Something crafted; I've been dreaming on this TeePee along time now. Our trees have allowed me to collect branches all winter and now the building begins. Crafting + Gardening = Happy Me.

And something borrowed: Another longtime dream, my little sunflower house! And the Sunflowers are popping up happy to be growing, I'll be looking for straw to put on the floor of the house and I hope this house draws in boys and birdies alike.