Blowing the cobwebs off the blog...

It's been a busy year for our family. New jobs, new schools, new town...new house!

I wanted to dip my toe back into the blogging water with this quick little post. I have been living completely off grid for a year (blog wise) and I now feel like I'm bursting with content to share with you.

So before I delve into the long back story I'll just throw out some oldies ( horrible, grainy, unedited iPad) pics.

See you soon...

Nervous Excitement

There are some big changes on the horizon for me. I can't say anything just yet, but lets just say exciting things are developing. Good things!

Storm over Humble,TX 2015, Image by Linsey Sappington

In the meantime...

An old church in the Texas countryside

 I'm praying for dreams to come true...

Storm over Humble,TX 2015, Image by Linsey Sappington



And for new adventures.

 And lots of new blog posts!

See you soon...

~Linsey

Life Isn't a Race...

I haven't written a blog post in months. And honestly...

I have no reason why! I think sometimes an artist, or writer or creative soul must step back and take a break. I need fresh ideas. New inspirations. Or just nothing at all in this racing brain of mine. 

Sometimes I need my brain to be a blank canvas rather than an assembly line.

Sometimes you just have to live unplanned.

 I'm a mom of two little ones, a mom to two (not so little) fur children, and a part time art teacher. And sometimes a studio artist. :D

I can't say that my life is busier than most other moms but I also get overwhelmed easily.  

I started this blog as an outlet and escape. A way to inspire and be inspired in a calm "sitting in my jammies drinking hot tea after the kids are in bed" kinda way.

(Today's thrift store score was a stack of old vintage tablecloths! Not in perfect condish...but for $3 each such a find!)

I've been approached weekly about advertising on here. But, I don't know.

I've done it a few times. If it's something "Farmhouse Porchy". Something by a friendly like minded person, maybe with an etsy shop or a line of farm soaps. Or a small business person as relaxed as I am, I'll do it.

But I truly am the type to pass up money for the sake of my sanity and serenity. I have nothing against being a high powered uber blogger of course! I'm just not the high powered type.

Maybe someday when my days feel emptier  I can make the money roll in and get a page designer and get all fancy! But for now I am content with my little low key blog.

I am a daydreamer and noticer.  I can't stand being on a busy time table day after day. There is enough of that in life anyways, why would I want to take on more of it? I purposefully make time for doing nothing at all with my family and friends. That's what this life is all about right?

(another thrift store find today. I love this big old ruler!)

So, all of this is just a long way to say I have made the conscious decision to practice the lost art of contentment. Having empty times during your day is good for you I think. It's ok to say no to some opportunities as long as you can see that success is not always monetary.

And maybe a pinch of laziness thrown in for good measure won't hurt you either.

Have a relaxing day!

~Linsey

If you give Linsey a Home Goods...

If you give Linsey a Home Goods...

She will want to buy a lantern. Once she has the lantern, she will need a candle to illuminate the table...

She will then dig out her autumn leaves to fill the empty table. Once she covers the table with leaves she will want some books and objects to prop them up on. 

By this time her friend Junebug will give up on trying to follow her as she paces to and fro. She will make sure to position herself in the exact spot where Linsey needs to be.

Linsey will get excited and realize that she has a wreath that would match the leaves perfectly...

and a pillow that matches too.

And while she's getting the wreath she will find the faux pumpkins in the attic...

She will toss those in the old blue chest under the table.

She will then decide that it's picture taking time! 

She will snap photos left and right...

And Junebug will try her best to look pitiful and ignored. 

Linsey will reassure her that they will play ball in a minute. And Junebug agrees, as long as Linsey doesn't go to HomeGoods again. Because if she goes to home Goods...

 She might find another lantern.

Happy "First Week of September"!

~Linsey and Junebug

Antique Windows

I have been pretty open about my antique window addiction. I just can't seem to get enough. It's borderline ridiculous to outsiders, but I know you will totally get it. And if you follow me on my facebook page

you saw the old windows I found completely by chance this week on Craigslist for $60. A little miracle considering the price of these on ebay. Ouch!

 All of you were so sweet to comment on my page and ask me what I was going to do with them. I have a few ideas rattling around in this little brain of mine, but in the mean time you know I couldn't just let them collect dust in my office! They required being enjoyed immediately.  

I decided to just prop up my favorite one on my entry table and make a few changes in here.

I wanted to do a simple floral thing. But I was tired of using the same vases, buckets and containers. I thought it would be neat to fill up my huge white bowl.

It's hard to tell scale in pictures, but this bowl is really really huge. 

Sorry for the blurry photo...

But isn't it so special that someone took the time to sew the cover of this antique school book back on long ago? 

I've also been making a few changes to the master bedroom. Here's a sneak peek before the reveal...

I hope you are having a wonderful day my friends!



~Linsey

Sharing at:

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Revisionary Life-Thrifty Life Thursday

Grand Jack's Bookshelf- A Makeover

Grand Jack was my Mom's Dad. I don't have many items that belonged to my grandparents, but for years I have had this simple bookcase that Grandjack  built. It was in my grandmother's garage for as long as I can remember, holding cans of paint and jars of screws and nails. It's a simple piece, but special to me.

 Here is the after photo...

Let's see how many of you can spot the dryer sheet. Junebug drags them everywhere! :)

 Here was the before (and I had already started priming the sides at this point).

It was chippy. And shabby. But not in a good way.





I coated the interior with a very pale greyish color (the result of mixing 3 similar wall color samples into a bucket). I painted the outside with a mixture of two almost empty cans of white chalk paint.

It's hard to photograph this spot because it's in a bit of a narrow pass through area. Here it is from the living room.

This crusty wire frame is so unique. I think it needs an old photo of Grand Jack, don't you? For now all I had was this antique gentleman stranger.

 And I will sign off with these amazing clouds. Aren't they miraculous? I feel close to God when I am under a sky like this. 

 The beauty of this world takes my breath away sometimes. And reminds me that no matter what pretty little projects I do in my home, it will never compare one bit to the beauty up there.

Have a wonderful evening!

Linsey

Playful Antiques

Heeelllooooo there my good folk! Happy sunny summer day to you.  

As a school teacher, I've always enjoyed my summers off (IMMENSELY). But the older I get the more I seem to use my summer time wisely. 

What use to seem like an eternity, 2 months with my little girls, just flies by these last few summers and I am hyper-aware that these be looked back upon as the best days of my life. It is bittersweet, and the more I try to cherish it the faster it slips by. Even when Miss Junebug is ripping out the flowers in the backyard and leaving them on the doorstep! It's a good thing she's so darn cute.

When life gives you broken zinnias...make a bouquet!

This IS my favorite picture of the day though. Thanks Junebug!

 This summer has already been full of swimming, trips to visit family, ice cream, bicycles and movie nights. Our recent movie night movie was the new Lego movie. Have you seen it? It's so cute. And it has a wonderful message to parents. If you have seen it then you'll recall how the father won't allow his son to play with his "stuff".

It got me to thinking about my antiques and old junk. I have to admit that I can be a little like the dad in the Lego movie when it comes to my treasured collections. Which is ridiculous, I mean it's already old and beat up, right?  So this morning I got out all of my vintage trucks and farm animals and my primitive wooden barn for the girls to play with. 

They have not stopped playing with it all day!! How could I have been such an evil mother to hide it away? Haha

In other news...

I have been on an old sign kick lately. I found this huge old hand painted wood sign in Weatherford,TX last week. 

 I still don't know where it will end up. I'm thinking on the wall outside of my office.

 And I moved "Cowpernia" the cow head into the living room. I just painted that old mirror below her yesterday. It weighs a TON. My plan is to hang it a few inches under her. Don't you think? 

Another thing I'm considering is painting my armoire and moving it to the bedroom. It's just way to big and jutty outty into the living room. It's a small awkward room.  

Here's one more shot I took of the table while my 5 year old was setting it for dinner. I love watching my girls do stuff like that. Tonight we're having my FaVoRiTe meatloaf. I always thought I hated meatloaf until I tasted my MIL's. It's smothered in tomato soup and stewed tomatoes. MMM! We serve it with cooked carrots, rolls and cauliflower with cheese. 

Home cookin'! Fresh flower centerpieces! It's amazing how much time I have to be domestic in the summer. :D

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

♥Linsey