Anyone who knows me understands that one of my favorite places for relaxing, hanging out with family and friends, curling up with a good book, and for gazing at the beauty of the lake and the woods happens from our porch at camp.
For a number of years the porch was used as a "catchall" for children's toys, swimsuits and towels, and a place where as teenagers we would "hang out" while playing countless card games and planning our next adventures. The porch has had many "duties", including being a stage for us to perform our a"ward winning" childhood plays.
My parents were wonderful and allowed the space to be completely lived in as we used chairs that have been passed down from different generations. But unfortunately, while this was quaint it did not provide a very comfortable or relaxing sitting area which was something both my mom and I desperately wanted. We searched and searched but nothing was in our price range that was the aesthetic that we were hoping for and nothing really fit the rustic and open air porch that we have.
Enter in a wonderful find at Goodwill! Don't you just love thrifting? I adore thrifting and finding unique and wonderful pieces at affordable prices! It took some time to wash, clean the chairs, repair rips in the fabric, and get everything set up but after three years (and two summers) in the years of 2010-2013 the porch came together like a dream! *smiles*
For a number of years the porch was used as a "catchall" for children's toys, swimsuits and towels, and a place where as teenagers we would "hang out" while playing countless card games and planning our next adventures. The porch has had many "duties", including being a stage for us to perform our a"ward winning" childhood plays.
My parents were wonderful and allowed the space to be completely lived in as we used chairs that have been passed down from different generations. But unfortunately, while this was quaint it did not provide a very comfortable or relaxing sitting area which was something both my mom and I desperately wanted. We searched and searched but nothing was in our price range that was the aesthetic that we were hoping for and nothing really fit the rustic and open air porch that we have.
Enter in a wonderful find at Goodwill! Don't you just love thrifting? I adore thrifting and finding unique and wonderful pieces at affordable prices! It took some time to wash, clean the chairs, repair rips in the fabric, and get everything set up but after three years (and two summers) in the years of 2010-2013 the porch came together like a dream! *smiles*
My mom and I first found the chairs for the porch at a half Price Thanksgiving Sale at Goodwill in 2010. There were four large chairs and three matching footstools. While they were in "struggling" condition we knew with a lot of love they would be the perfect thing for our front porch.
You can see our excitement in the pictures above with our find! *smiles*
My mom stored the chairs in the garage at my parents house and once the 2011 summer arrived we went to work on the first two chairs that we took to New York. The first thing that we did was take out the original stuffing from the cushions and then work on the sewing projects that we needed to fix from some of the ripped material. Next we washed every cover twice. I had done some research and had learned that it was best to stuff pre-made fabric cushions while the fabric is still damp. This allows the fabric and the stuffing to mold together. [You don't want the fabric to be wet- just damp.] I am not going to lie it took some energy to stuff those cushions!
My mom stored the chairs in the garage at my parents house and once the 2011 summer arrived we went to work on the first two chairs that we took to New York. The first thing that we did was take out the original stuffing from the cushions and then work on the sewing projects that we needed to fix from some of the ripped material. Next we washed every cover twice. I had done some research and had learned that it was best to stuff pre-made fabric cushions while the fabric is still damp. This allows the fabric and the stuffing to mold together. [You don't want the fabric to be wet- just damp.] I am not going to lie it took some energy to stuff those cushions!
After we stuffed the cushions we set them in the sun to dry while we went to work on vacuuming the chairs and washing the wood.
After everything was dry we set up the porch with the first two chairs for the 2011 summer. [*happy sigh*]
We loved the two chairs that we had brought and had originally intended to use the other 1/2 of the set at my parents house but everyone loved these chairs to sit on so we quickly decided that we would need to bring up the rest of the set the following summer.
So in the summer of 2012 we repeated the same process of cleaning and stuffing that we had done in 2011 and ended up with our finalized porch chairs.
I had also found some additional (small) pillows that matched the chairs (at a Goodwill in another state!). And our porch started to evolve from there...
I had also found some additional (small) pillows that matched the chairs (at a Goodwill in another state!). And our porch started to evolve from there...
As the years have passed we have loved these chairs more and more. This old porch that was originally built in 1901 has been refurbished but kept its original charm and these chairs that we found at Goodwill have only added and not taken away from the charm of the porch.
As time has passed we have enjoyed so many conversations with friends and family, played numerous board games and card games on these chairs, spent quiet time with the Lord here, and I have written books, worked on school work, and written numerous blog posts from these porch chairs. (In fact, the title of my personal health updates, "Notes from the Porch" was inspired by this location!) They have truly been a blessing!
In recent years we have added lights to the porch (y'all know my love of white lights! *smiles*), more cushions and some cozy throws and we end up spending numerous evenings out here on this porch, listening to the sounds of the water and seeing pretty sunsets in the evening.
While we have lots of "cozy spots"... this place... this spot is my favorite of all! Thanks so much for reading today friends! Do y'all have a favorite cozy spot in your home?
Today I am excited to share our time in Homer, Bishop's Beach, and Homer Spit which was one of my favorite spots! Okay- ALL of Alaska spots we saw were a favorite. *smiles* This one just makes me smile... the song brings back so many memories and it seemed to "fit" this time on the trip well. I had a lot of time to think that day and it was so precious exploring this area!*smiles* You can find the video HERE (or watch right below) and the new channel by clicking HERE! Thanks for checking it out, commenting, and following along y'all! *smiles*
Happy Monday friends! I hope y'all have a wonderful day and start to this first full week of the new year!
PS- If you are curious about the specific details of the road trip that we took throughout Alaska or if you are planning a similar road trip (or just want to see and dream about visiting the beauty!) I hope the information below is helpful. You can read all of the posts from the trip by clicking on the links below:
Chugach Mountains: // Eklutna Lake//
Homer (Kenai Peninsula) Area: // Homer Video // Homer Spit // Homer Lighthouse// Bishop's Beach //
// A Brief History of Homer //
// A Brief History of Homer //
Thompson Pass Area: // Thompson Pass Area Video //
// Worthington Glacier Ridge Hike// Worthington Glacier//
// Among the Alaskan Fireweed on Alaska 4-S: A Beautiful Symbol for Hope in the Hard Seasons of Life// A Brief History of and Drive on Alaska 4-South of the Richardson Highway//
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Area: // Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge//
Today I am excited to share our time hiking Winner Creek Trail which was one of my favorite spots! This one just makes me smile... I mean I think that it was incredibly obvious from the posts that my time in that area was a favorite. Hahaha! *smiles* You can find the video HERE (or watch right below) and the new channel by clicking HERE! Thanks for checking it out, commenting, and following along y'all! *smiles*
Happy Friday friends! I hope y'all have a wonderful day and start to this first weekend of the new year!
PS- If you are curious about the specific details of the road trip that we took throughout Alaska or if you are planning a similar road trip (or just want to see and dream about visiting the beauty!) I hope the information below is helpful. You can read all of the posts from the trip by clicking on the links below:
Chugach Mountains: // Eklutna Lake//
Homer (Kenai Peninsula) Area: // Homer Spit // Homer Lighthouse// Bishop's Beach //
// A Brief History of Homer //
// A Brief History of Homer //
Thompson Pass Area: // Thompson Pass Area Video //
// Worthington Glacier Ridge Hike// Worthington Glacier//
// Among the Alaskan Fireweed on Alaska 4-S: A Beautiful Symbol for Hope in the Hard Seasons of Life// A Brief History of and Drive on Alaska 4-South of the Richardson Highway//
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Area: // Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge//
Today I am so excited to start off the first post of 2019 sharing my word for the year!
This is the sixth year that I have joined in on the "pick a word for the year train". Every year in the summer and fall as I start to pray about the upcoming year and ask the Lord for a word and for some scripture verses for the year I am always amazed at how the Lord leads.
Something I started doing a number of years ago is after I pick a word for the year, I then pick an "over arching verse" for the year that I work on memorizing, along with 12 other additional verses (1 for each month) that all deal with the theme from my word of the year.
I use the word for the year in other ways in my personal life, but incorporating scripture in this unique way has been a beautiful blessing and something I plan to continue throughout my life. As the coming year unfolds I am continuously amazed at how uniquely this word and these verses will come into play in encouraging me, reminding me of God's unique grace and love, and the way that I see His plan unfold in specific ways for a variety of different seasons and situations.
As a new year begins we never know what will be coming in front of us. We don't know the unique and difficult challenges we may face along with the beautiful highs and blessings that are yet to be seen. And yet as I think and pray about a word for the year I am constantly surprised at the way that I see God in His tender mercy reflects the promise and hope of the word that I have chosen throughout each day- especially as I purpose to look for it.
My words for the last five years have been:
Espoir 2018
Rachat (2017)
Anew (2016)
Mettle (2015)
Valor (2014)
Over the past few months as I have prayed about 2018, the Lord kept bringing to mind the themes of hope and expectancy without fear. This theme has been something that I have been challenged to examine in various ways as I continue to heal and step out of "sick world" and slowly step back into "regular life". But it doesn't just stop at my health. I have been challenged to really examine different ways that I view hope and expectancy in my life... especially in deep ways that are intensely personal.
Sometimes after a long battle with health or another traumatic experience... I think we can grow more timid than we ever believed we would especially in relation to hope and expectancy. I remember lying in bed years ago, unable to move and thinking that I would be the most fearless person alive if I ever started to heal. And I have started to heal... and am healing... but I find myself timid with lots of different areas. In the last few months I have been really challenging myself about this and praying about what this looks like specifically in my life.
Along with this, I have been really pausing to consider the power of "words". As an author I know the power that words can hold and I want to always speak life into situations... not death...and in doing so started to consider the words that are being spoken into my life. Back in August, I confronted this in new ways as it became abundantly clear that a friendship that I had... needed some clear and defined boundaries as this person was constantly speaking fear and the "worst case scenario" into my life- usually several times a day. Y'all know my heart and it wanted to be a support for this person, but I started to realize that the help that they needed went beyond the role of a friend and needed professional counseling... something that I am not equipped or trained to do.
I don't typically share something like that on the blog, but felt a nudge to do so today for a couple of reasons... first I hear from women all the time who are struggling with unhealthy friendships and my heart hurts for you. It is a tough road to navigate.
Second, I also share that very personal story to say...as I have walked the road of forgiveness in that situation it has really made me consider the words that we allow into our lives and the words that we speak into others as well. I want my words to reflect life, hope, and grace and encouragement ... and not fear or discouragement. So many times we are so careless with our words and this upcoming year I want to make sure I am reflecting hope and grace to each person I encounter. (As a side note- as I said above- if you are in a similar situation as I was above... my heart goes out to you. It can truly be a tricky road to walk and my prayers are with you for wisdom in the situation. I truly encourage you to seek wise counsel for yourself in that situation too.)
I look forward to walking this road with you this year and examining this more... as I consider present and future moments. In the last few months I truly felt the Lord impressing upon my heart these themes for this coming year. So as I continued to pray I felt the Lord bring these two words together into one perfect word:
Sine Timore
Sine Timore is a latin phrase that means:
"without fear"
Granted, it is not a word that is "common" or used everyday but the definitions sum up exactly what I pray for for this coming year - living in hope and expectancy without fear.
As I mentioned above I pick a key theme verse for the year and this year there were two that really stood out to me:
"Bold power and glorious majesty are wrapped around her as she laughs with JOY over the latter days."
-Proverbs 31:25-
"In the morning I lay my requests before you and watch expectantly."
-Psalm 3:5-
A lot of time as a young sick gal I find myself facing the truth that I struggle with this concept due to the season of illness. To be honest I have come to realize that after this season I often expect the worst instead of the best in big and small things. Instead of believing for joy and hope I often question, doubt, and wonder behind the scenes. I was hit with this fully when I was examining a situation in my personal life. One of my best friends recently said to me, "but Rebecca, what if the best case scenario happens"? and as the situation has played out it has been consistently a story of the best case scenario happening. I was humbled by this and as this new year approached I knew that I wanted to live fully expectant with hope in all areas of my life.
As I mentioned above I pick a key theme verse for the year and this year there were two that really stood out to me:
"Bold power and glorious majesty are wrapped around her as she laughs with JOY over the latter days."
-Proverbs 31:25-
"In the morning I lay my requests before you and watch expectantly."
-Psalm 3:5-
A lot of time as a young sick gal I find myself facing the truth that I struggle with this concept due to the season of illness. To be honest I have come to realize that after this season I often expect the worst instead of the best in big and small things. Instead of believing for joy and hope I often question, doubt, and wonder behind the scenes. I was hit with this fully when I was examining a situation in my personal life. One of my best friends recently said to me, "but Rebecca, what if the best case scenario happens"? and as the situation has played out it has been consistently a story of the best case scenario happening. I was humbled by this and as this new year approached I knew that I wanted to live fully expectant with hope in all areas of my life.
So that is my "word" for the year friends! Did y'all pick a "word" for this year? I would love to hear about it and what the significance is to you!!
"we will laugh more, love more... we just won't be so afraid..."
"we will laugh more, love more... we just won't be so afraid..."
"Everyday you preach to yourself a gospel of your loneliness, inability, and lack of resources or you faithfully preach to yourself the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ."
-Paul David Tripp-
If you're on the fitness train and you have lost the weight or are losing the weight you had set to lose then it may be a good idea to start toning up if you haven’t already. Toning up will define your muscles and reduce body fat which will increase the definition of muscles. If you are sick of the gym and want to be able to tone up from the comfort of your home, then here are a few tips to do just that:
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Whole Body Vibration machine
A full body vibration machine uses vibrating plates to make your muscles contract and relax multiple times as you stand, sit or lie on the machine in various poses and positions to impact certain parts of the body. This machine will not only help to tone your muscles but will also help with any fat burning and also increases your circulation. Because the machine is contracting your muscles many times per second it makes you feel like you have been working out at high intensity when you haven’t even moved. If you are struggling to find a machine that targets your whole body then there are sites that will break down each machine type and the cost to find you the best one on the market.
Body Toning Belt
Body toning belts will use a safe electric current directed to the preferred muscle and contract and relax that muscle with each pulse to help tone the muscle. The good thing about the toning belt is it can be used on most parts of the body as it just wraps around the part you want to tone to be more direct. It has interchangeable pads also which help to distribute the charge, so you can change the size of the pad to be more direct in some places. Using the toning belt will also help with blood circulation on the parts you use it on.
Exercises
There are a few exercises you can do from home just using your own body weight. The first exercise you can do is the press up which can be a full press up or a ¾ press up depending on how comfortable you are at doing them. Doing the press up will help with toning your arms, shoulders, and chest. The next exercise would be the Tricep dip, this again requires no weights but you will need to be able to use the edge of low surfaces like a sofa or coffee table, so make sure you have enough room, this will work just your triceps and parts of your shoulders. The other main one which will be for toning your abs is situps, this will be unweighted as well which makes it easier to do from home and you will need a clear bit of floor to be able to do these exercises. There are many exercises you can do from home but these are the main ones that are easiest to do. There are lots of sites out there which can show you the best techniques for these and also give you other exercises to do.
Getting fit and toning up at home is great for those that can’t afford a gym membership or just don’t like the gym. Working out from home will help keep you fit and also make it easier to fit around your home life as you have to find less time to work out at home as opposed to going to the gym. With these tips then you will be well underway to getting toned up and fit while going about your everyday life.
*contributed post*
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