Do I really live in a Barn? This is one of the most asked questions of my readers. I have been putting off this post, because I so wanted to pretty up the barn and make it look great before anyone saw it on here. I finally came to the conclusion it could take till the kids leave home before I get a chance to make it look great, but I thought well even then, we might actually at that point get to do some of the major renovations we want to do at that time. So, I realized that if you are going to see my life in a barn, you might as well see it as it really is day to day. I am definitely not Martha!

A Brief History

Our house was originally a horse barn that my dad built with the idea of having horse clinics there. It was used as such for a few years. After a time the above area where most barns store hay, was renovated into an apartment for cowgirls and cowboys to have a place to bed down when they came to visit and take classes at the clinic. After years of use the ole cowpoke who taught the clinics moved on and the barn was abandoned to used equipment and storage. My dad decided after a bit to renovate some of the downstairs into a living space and rent it out. After a few different families lived in the barn it was passed down to me and my husband three years ago and we have since made it our home. We hope to continue to renovate and change it bit by bit, yet keep it looking like the barn it has always been.

Here is the side (right side) that most have seen just from the heading of my website.

This is the front of the house (me and sugar plum fairy in the entrance).

This is part of the back of the house, with two of our additions to the house. The flower garden and the wood burning stove. You can see the stove pipe/chimney from the back.

Here you can kind of see where the stalls used to be between each 6 x 6 pole, which is now my husbands shop. When the downstairs was renovated it was split between a shop area and a living space.

This one is a little harder to see, we were tromping through the woods behind the house one fall and took a quick shot of the back of our house. The large deck that you see upstairs, we would like to eventually make that into the master bedroom.

This one shows the left side a bit (not much to see).

This is the last one I promise. I thought this one was a good overall front view.

Perhaps, in a few years (in my family a few years can be 2 or 20, just like the other day could be last tuesday or 5 years ago), we will have new renovations or changes. I hope this answered a few of the curiosities of if I really live in a barn. If you have any other questions, please ask.

This month’s artist is an absolutely lovely lady. I know because she has been very close to me for 30 plus years. She is my mom. She is very talented and I am so excited that she agreed to do this with me. She has excelled in many forms of artwork and her latest creations have been in jewelry. Please meet my Mom… (Her name is Phyllis).

Artist Bio

Born a coalminer’s daughter, youngest of 5 children and the only one born inside a hospital in Charleston, West Virginia. The doctors had told my father that if he didn’t get out of the mines that he would die of the black lung fever, so he went off to Chicago to get electrical training and then was later hired by DuPont. DuPont later decided to build a new atomic plant in South Carolina, so my father transferred to the new plant and this is where I grew up after the age of 5. I really enjoyed my childhood, loved the outdoors, enjoyed climbing trees, playing with my dolls, carrying my cap pistol and wearing my pearl necklace, all while I played in the rain, drove my toy cars in the sand and collected sandspurs as I went running through the woods of beautiful South Carolina countryside.

Then, the babies came along and I just had to put it all away because they too liked to play in all of these things that little ones really do not need to eat, paint on the floor, walls or each other, if you know what I mean. So, I played more with the house, the children, the flower garden, etc. I really got away from any real expression of my creative side until I began to go on medical mission trips. I so wanted to take gifts to give away while on my trips and I began to make bracelets and necklaces for my 4th trip to South America. The jewelry became addictive (it is really hard to go to jewelry shows and not want to buy anything). I also enjoy praying a blessing on each piece of jewelry I make.

Over the few years my Mom has created jewelry, I have luckily been the recipient of many a gorgeous piece. Here are two pieces of my personal collection that I just wanted to show you that my Mom made.

One of my absolute favorite bracelets…

Aren’t these just fun?…

Anyway, on to the best part. This next piece is the giveaway piece. I named it, “Moxie”, because that is what red makes me think of sometimes. The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing, while it also represents valor and hardiness. So, who needs a little Moxie, in their lives?

How to enter to win “Moxie”:

Leave me a comment on this post and tell me why you need a little “Moxie”, in your life. (seriously, thats it) On June 20th, I will choose a winner via, random.org.

How often do you take a night off, without kids; just you and your husband. We normally try for once a month. When we do have a date night, we normally do dinner and a movie or just dinner. This last night out, my husband and I went all out. I had so much fun planning it (semi started planning it last November). We bought tickets to Les Miserables last year for a play that was in May of this year. As time came closer I pondered on what to wear and at first I considered going black tie, you know tuxedo and me in some fancy smancy sequined thing. While I am sure that would have been splendid and somewhat spectacular, it just wasn’t me. So, I started thinking of different era’s of clothing I loved. I have always been in love with the roaring 20′s flapper dresses to the victory curl hairstyle of the 40′s. As I considered my options, I ended up picking somewhat of the 40′s style crossed with a bit of pin-up girl look (a little sexy for the hubby). Once picking this idea, my outfit wasn’t too hard to put together, the difficulty came in trying to find something for Geek Adonis. After looking through pictures on the web, we came up with the idea of a sailors outfit. I mean who hasn’t seen the iconic photograph of the young man kissing his sweetheart in Times Square. Just in case you haven’t – here it is…

We didn’t want to do exactly as they did, but in any case here is our version…

After the big smack, we preceded to a yummy dinner at Carraba’s and then to Les Miserables…

It was a wonderful night!

The paint is incredibly easy to make and lots of fun too. It is made with three simple ingredients that most momma’s have in their arsenal of goodies.

Ingredients

Cornstarch
Water
Food Coloring
Old Muffin Tin (or whatever you can find)

Directions

Mix water and cornstarch to desired consistency. I did 2 cups of water to 1 box of cornstarch. I recommend either a little more water or either less cornstarch. The consistency was a little too thick. Put a small amount of food coloring into each separate container.

Now add cornstarch and water mix, to the separate containers and stir together to mix in color.

TA DA! I made a tin for each of my children. One with a few more girly colors for Sugar Plum Fairy and the other one with some guy colors for the Little Old Man. So, after you have mixed your paints, grab your camera (cause you gonna want to get pictures of the fun) and go paint. For instance….

My Little Old Man, started out real simple just layering a few colors, while…

Sugar Plum Fairy went wild and started slinging it. Two completely different artist styles. Well, until Little Old Man saw what his sister was doing and wanted to duplicate.

Oh, yeah, it became a paint ourselves session. And, boy did they have a blast.

I think Sugar Plum Fairy became a dancing gypsy and Little Old Man…

A Ninja! (well a colorful camouflage ninja)

~a few side notes: All of this will wash off with the next rain. Although, when they decided to paint their bodies it did stain the skin until the second bath. So, if you decide to let them paint, do not plan it on a day where you are getting family pictures the next day. And, remember just have some fun, throw paint everywhere (well maybe not the car, I dunno), and remember it comes off with water, soap and sunshine.

There are three parables in this chapter and they describe how we need to live our lives and be prepared for God’s return. I thought today that we would discuss each one a little because they are all three important together, none of them by themselves describe completely the preparation needed. I highly recommend reading all of the chapter to yourself.

Scripture

Matthew Chapter 25:1 – At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. (The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids)

Matthew Chapter 25:14,15 – Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. (The Parable of the Loaned Money)

Matthew Chapter 25:31-33 – When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and and goats on his left. (The Parable of the Final Judgment)

Observation

Jesus told the parables in Chapter 25 to clarify further what it means to be ready for his return and how to live until he comes. In the story of the ten bridesmaids (25:1-13), we are taught that every person is responsible for his or her own spiritual condition. The story of the talents (25:14-30), shows the necessity of using well what God has entrusted to us. The parable of the sheep and goats (25:31-46), stresses the importance of serving others in need.

Application

I am not to look to my pastor or my husband or anyone for my relationship with Jesus Christ, I cannot borrow or wait on someone else to push me or do things for me spiritually. My walk with God is personal and I am responsible for everything that I do.

My time, abilities, and money are not mine, – I am a caretaker, not owner. Have I done well, with what God has entrusted to me? I am responsible to use well what God has given me. My issue is not how much I have, but how well I use what I have.

To serve others is one of my main missions as a christian. I can do acts of kindness and mercy everyday, I need not wealth or special abilities to help others in need.

Prayer

Lord, I come to you asking forgiveness for my actions as a caretaker of what you have given me. I feel that I could do so much better with my time, money, and abilities. Please have mercy on me Lord, you have entrusted me with so much and I feel that I have squandered much of it. I ask for wisdom to plan my time better. To save, invest, give, and spend the money you have given us wisely. To be more like the wife/mother of Proverbs and to show me my talents and abilities so that I may use them for you. Give me compassion and love that I may shower it on those in times of need and that I may help the needy. Lord, I know many times I am scared to do with what you have given me, please make me bold and strong in you. Wipe away my fears and doubt and make me whole in you.

Amen.

This chapter was intriguing to me, partly because recently the head of a church somewhere said something about the world was going to end the other day at 6:00pm and then it didn’t happen so he just rescheduled that for later. It was also intriguing in the fact the many christians and non-christians seem to want to know and they want signs that show when the Lord is coming back. To get the full gist of it, I would read the entire chapter, but to me it is pretty much summed up in two separate verses.

Scripture

Matthew Chapter 24:27 – For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Matthew Chapter 24:36 – No one knows about the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Observation

Jesus’ return will be unmistakeable; no one will doubt that it is he. If you have to be told that the Lord has come, then he hasn’t. Christ’s coming will be obvious to everyone(…and all the nations of the earth will mourn – all nations will know at once). It is good that we do not know exactly when Christ will return. If we knew the precise date, we might be tempted to become lazy in our work for Christ. Heaven is not our only goal; we have work to do here.

Application

Do not concern ourselves with dates and times, but live God’s way consistently; until he takes us home.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the reassurance as a christian that I need not worry about tomorrow or when my time will come. With knowing this give me the strength to not doubt you or your timing. Let me always be prepared in heart, soul, and mind. Lord, I think back to a praise song – saying let me be your hands, let me be your feet on this earth. In every step I will need you Lord.

Amen.

The winners are:

Andrea Austin – Oaklands Historic House Museum (Good for 2 tour passes plus tea and cakes)

Tami Patterson Blair – BounceU in Murfreesboro (Good for 5 Bounce passes)

April Greene – Maple Hill Sports Center – (Good for 1 Unlimited All-Day Mini Golf, Aeroball, and Batting cage rounds for 2 people)

Shelley Spence – Maple Hill Sports Center – (Good for 1 Unlimited All-Day Mini Golf, Aeroball, and Batting cage rounds for 2 people)

Please feel free to email me @ ladyofthebarn@gmail.com, so that I can get these passes to you.

I feel like a Pharisee. I had the opportunity last week to humble myself and be a true child of God, by showing his love to someone. I failed miserably.

Scripture

Matthew Chapter 23:25,26 – Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

Observation

If I do not have my time with the Lord everyday throughout the day and ask his counsel in all situations, then I fail him and those around me. I must be in his word and on my knees daily.

Application

Have time with the Lord every morning/every day. With only him, if it is before the kids get up or after they go to bed, I need time to focus and spend time in His word and in prayer.

Prayer

Lord, I come to you asking for forgiveness for my failings and for being selfish and lazy with my time. Lord, I thank you for carrying me during the times I do not actively spend time with you. I ask forgiveness in not being humble and for giving the wrong testimony to others, Lord, please help me to forgive myself and those that have wronged me. Please give me the passion and capacity to spend time with you daily. Help me to remember that days are always better if begun with you. I love you Lord and so want your will and way.

Amen.