Who Is A God Like You

Less Stuff

A Fireplace Before, During and After

We've been doing a lot of updating to our 1968 brick ranch style home.

Our latest project has been redoing our fireplace.  And really, isn't this the most unattractive fireplace you've ever seen?

We haven't used it as a real fireplace in years, meaning we don't burn wood in it anymore.  And the brick.  YUCK!   Even in 1968 there HAD to have been prettier brick than this.

 So, we decided to update things a little with some artificial stone.  Check this out!!!

This was taken after the first day.   Sorry, but it was evening so the stone looks a little yellowed in the photo.  Not sure why? 

And this was over the weekend.  Almost finished.  This picture really shows off the true color of the artificial stone.  

And here's Cole putting up the very last piece of stone.

Such a difference!!

I am beyond pleased with this.  It doesn't even look like the same ROOM let alone the same fireplace.  We are having a new mantle made, and that should be ready in a month or so.  I will post more pictures when the mantle is installed.

We are also going to have gas logs installed so we aren't staring at a big black hole any longer! 

The artificial stone was called "Canyon Stone" and it was $3.99 per square foot at our local hardware store.  Of all the remodeling we have done at our house, I think this might just be the most bang-for-the-buck project we've done so far.  Seriously, these pictures do NOT do it justice!!

Isn't it amazing what a little remodeling can do???

A High Connoisseur of Life

I was visiting one of my favorite blogs, Tales From The Coop Keeper, today.

If you don't know Jayme, you definitely need to visit her blog.  She is an AMAZING WOMAN, and such an inspiration. You can visit TALES FROM THE COOP KEEPER by clicking on this link.

From Jayme's blog, I headed over  HERE to check out a guest post entitled "Becoming Minimalist."

Ladies, it is an awesome post, and really made me think.

Do I want to just accumulate STUFF or do I want to be a "high connoisseur of life."

Please, do yourself a favor and read Becoming Minimalist.

I am sending the link to both of my sisters, and several friends.

Because I want them to take a step back and really think.  Because I firmly believe that I (and most everyone I know) have too much STUFF.

Yes, I have two, 2-cup measuring cups.  (Read the blog and you'll get it.)

Seriously, take 10 minutes, click on the link and read the post.

And then let me know what you think.  I think less is more (except for Jesus, and then more isn't nearly enough!!!!!). 

But when it comes to STUFF, less is more.  I would rather have one really NICE thing, than lots of junk.  I've always been that way, but I don't really PRACTICE that.  I've gotten away from that concept. Sometimes I buy something because I think I might need it.  Or because it's cheap.   And then I find something I really want, but I don't get it because I tell myself I already bought the cheaper one, I can't spend any more money.

So, right now, go check out the link to Becoming Minimalist.

And join me on my new adventure of becoming A HIGH CONNOISSEUR OF LIFE!!

I JUST LOVE THAT PHRASE!!!!!!!

Let me know how YOU intend to simplify!!!

Seventy Quarts

Last Sunday we canned green beans.  You might recall, we canned some green beans earlier this summer, but only twenty quarts.

Our spring was cold and wet, and our green beans did not do well.  And twenty quarts of green beans isn't very many at my house.

We eat green beans several times a week. We love green beans.

So we planted more beans the end of July.    And they look fantastic.  In our garden, fall beans are always better than our summertime beans. 

They have fewer bug bites, less "rusty" spots on them.  Does anyone know why fall beans are better?  Inquiring minds want to know!!

So Sunday we canned green beans again.  And this time we canned SEVENTY QUARTS of green beans.  I must say, that's a record at our house.  We have never canned that many quarts of green beans in one day.  We've never canned that many quarts of ANYTHING in one day.

But my oh my are they delicious.  And this winter, when it's cold and snowy, those green beans will taste even better.

Now here is the kicker.  We plan on canning more beans this weekend!  Yes, it's true!   Even ninety quarts of green beans isn't enough for us.  We would like to can another twenty or thirty quarts.  And my guess is we will run out before green beans are ready next year!

Romans 1:16

Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth!!