Hello again, friends.
I am back with an update on our cottage reno,
and though I don't have any particularly pretty pictures
to share of our place or even our lives, what I have to
offer is blessing, hope, and a story about what it
means to love something back to life.
just outside the window on the stairway landing
Autumn has arrived, and the mature trees on
our property that were so abundantly lush
when we began our work in June, are nearly bare.
a few days before Bella died
If you read my last post, then you know our
little beautiful moon, Bella Luna, recently passed away.
We moved into the house (still a work zone!)
with her one month ago, and because of her condition,
I carried her around the house like a doll or in her
Ergo baby carrier...we kept her as comfortable
as we could until it was time for her to be at
perfect peace in the arms of the angels.
So clearly, I write this post while still grieving.
Bella's passing is but one blow to our family's
heart, as we have experienced a chapter of
deep humbling and brokenness which has
challenged us in unspeakable ways.
While I may have hoped this house would not be
bathed in tears, this is not to be, and so I choose
to not drown in them, but be cleansed and
even baptized in their holiness.
So you see, it is well with my soul as we continue
to nurture this little house as it becomes a home.
We moved our belongings over about a week
before we began living here.
Things didn't stay looking this tidy or orderly
once we moved in!
So we have one working bathroom which is great
except for a hard water problem, and no big surprise
we will have to sink more cash into that.
I will be so grateful to have softer water at some point!
This will be our sons' guest room, and I painted the walls
Benjamin Moore's Ashley Gray.
We set our long reclaimed elm Dutch table in the hall,
but it doesn't work here so it will go elsewhere.
On the right is the little laundry room.
The future library/dining room.
Remember what the master bath resembled?
Here is my luxurious spa bathroom now:
Indeed.
This is where I brush my teeth
and gaze into the mirror in the morning
clapping my hands together exclaiming:
THIS is gonna be a great day!
fine.i don't clap. but i smile and laugh and don't feel less than royalty.
More images of the work zone which
will become a relaxing bathroom:
We had to call in an exterminator as the attic
was home to mice...so while we have yet
to enjoy this master bath, the carpenter ants
and rodents have highly approved of the
accommodations.
A part of the backyard helps you appreciate
my favorite part about the cottage: the setting.
Lots of progress has been made in the kitchen!
I chose a quartz which mimics polished Venatino marble
as we decided to use marble on the sink wall.
Appliances are installed!
The crown moldings and trim pieces are not yet done.
But you can see how the wall
of marble is transforming the space:
My husband has been working so hard on every facet
of the renovation that I cannot begin to list everything
he has accomplished!
This is the window in our bedroom where I have
watched the colors and landscape change.
My sister just moved into a new home in Chicago,
and she asked me to create a piece for them.
I painted the canvas above with tears, visions of
of furry friends, angels, and hope on the horizon.
It was hard for my husband to see this painting
leave our home, but I have a hunch there will be more.
I'm so happy they love it.
The clutter of life.
vision of simplistic, pared down beauty which beckons
peaceful encounters with nature and loved ones.
Our sweet girl the night before she flew away.
Two days before Bella left us, she and I were exploring
the backyard and found this restful angel which had
been completely covered in overgrown vines and weeds.
Can you imagine my delight in coming upon it
for the first time, in light of the heavy burden
of suffering happening in our hearts and home?
I remain in awe at how God revealed himself to me
at the perfect time in the most gentle, merciful way,
allowing me to let go of that which I am led to let go.
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
The night before our beautiful moon went to her resting place,
she was in much pain, yet insisted on pitter-pattering over
each and every marble mosaic for the kitchen wall
before I sealed them.
What a blessing that our sweet girl's paw prints--
as well as her life and her love--
are sealed into every inch of that mosaic wall.
My heart is full and peaceful.
The work continues.
I am grateful for your prayers and support.
* * *
Please come join me
in this DIY adventure by
clicking here for all my fixer upper update posts!
(And thanks for subscribing here so you don't miss an episode.)
Peace to you right where you are.
