favorite vintage find of the month

My new favorite thrift store find of the month has to be this vintage porcelain vase from Holland. Recently I  discovered my love for unique, previously treasured souvenirs. There is just something beautiful about collecting something someone once choose to serve as a memory of a past experience or adventure. Of course like most of my “collections” I have made a rule that an item must be able to serve a purpose in my home or they have to be left behind (sometimes this is easier said then done;).  This vase was quickly put to use as a perfect container for the fistfuls of daises that were picked by sweet little hands.

bike rides, short sleeves…tree forts, and dirty knees…these are the things of summer

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

a heart like yours

Out of all the wisdom your life has spoke into mine perhaps the lesson I am most grateful for is to have learned to love like you. To love without boundaries…requiring your heart to daily look upward for guidance and direction. To love with a heart quick to forgive and slow to walk away. To love so deeply that the pain of others weighs heavy enough on your heart…that it drops you to your knees. To love without fear of sacrificing ones self. To love openly and honestly…exposing your weaknesses so that others may find strength. To love with an overflowing amount of grace, and understanding. To love blindly…no…rather…love with your eyes wide open…without prejudice or judgment. To love with a heart full of praise…and song…allowing your little light to shine. To just simply love for Love’s sake. Yes…these are just some of the many lessons of love I learned from you along the way…but amongst them there is still one that made all the difference to a little heart being shaped by you…To not only love…but to truly cherish the lives God has blessed you to be a part of…This love…this lesson…I continue to carry close to my heart…A heart that I hope now …looks a lot…like yours.

I knew this man

I knew this man. He was pretty great. Not because he desired it to be so…but because he just was. He was unapologetically imperfect and unconditionally excepting. He saw beauty and purpose in the flaws and failures that make us human. His words were spoken without filter and instead flowed out with pure and simple honesty. He was humble…Never seeking out the praise or recognition he so deserved. He quietly served…Which spoke volumes to me. He taught with intent, with patience and with grace. As a sheep he followed without question. As a shepard he lead without fear. His faith in the Lord remained unshaken. His faithfulness to his family…to his friends…to his flock…remained steadfast. He was as God created him to be…Great. I knew this man…and I thank God that I did.

(For Wayne…So glad I got to call you friend)

 

on the road again

One of my favorite buying trips is coming up at the end of June! We’re talkin’ 52 glorious back road country miles worth of scavenging! *sigh* I’m pretty excited about it. There are very few other things that brings my heart more joy then digging threw a bunch of dusty old junk only to find a diamond in the rough. On past excursions I have found incredible vintage maps, beautiful farm dressers, unique art work, plenty of well worn wooden chairs, and oh so much more.

Before I hit the road I wanted to get the word out to anyone that may want me to be on the look out for something special to add to their home (big or small). If this is you…Just leave me a comment on this here little ol’ post or message me via TheBarefootNester on Facebook. I truly cannot wait to start the hunt!

Oh…and by the way…I can also customize, and re-purpose…So if you are looking for a turquoise wooden vintage chair…You better believe I can make it happen! Whoa…Look at me gettin’ all confident and stuff…Good grief Kara…Let’s take ya down a notch;)

a bouquet from the heart and a flower for my hair…these are the things I cherish

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

that’s my man

So you know that obnoxious wife that is always yelling things like “That’s my man!” whenever her husband does something resembling great and wonderful…Well that’s me! This for some reason does not seem to bring as much joy to my husbands heart as it does mine;) In fact you can usually see just how much “joy” it brings by the less then appreciative look on his face. Which in truth is mostly why I keep doing it. Oh love…It makes you do crazy things. Which sometimes includes making the other one crazy…Seriously…Just keepin it real people;) Anyways…My man just so happens to be having a Birthday tomorrow. I am so stinkin excited for what this next year will look like for him! Now this is where I get all obnoxiously proud and braggy…So Joel…Let’s try to keep the eye rolling to a minimum!

Recently my husband decided to take health by the horns. In theory this was something we were suppose to be doing together but his incredible determination and dedication far over shadow the minimal changes I have chosen to make for myself….so far! The fact that he has been able to concentrate on his health, while working crazy camp hours, volunteering like a mad man, and making time for family is truly amazing!! I cannot tell you just how puffed up with pride this makes me…It kinda makes me want to stand up and shout out at the top of my lungs…That’s my man! You knew it was coming;)

So…My darling, my love, my cupcake…my man…(I’m sure you have that look on your face right now…Which only brings me joy…sugar biscuit;) I wish you the happiest Birthday…and the happiest year of health!! You deserve it!