Thursday, September 10, 2015

Random Thoughts {And a Thank You} on My Return Home


“Every traveler has a home of his own,
and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering.” 
~ Charles Dickens


Though I enjoyed my trip to visit far away family and friends (my homeland, dear reader!), I am happy to be homemaking once again! During the last month, I was beginning to feel like a bird without a nest and that God-given instinct to keep home was feeling quite quenched!


The first few days back I found myself washing curtains, hanging them on the line and replacing bedding with the new colors and needs of the season. Our pantry was sorely in need of maintenance and lists were made of items that needed restocking. Cleaning products were quickly created from essential oils, medicinal tinctures were prepared and our storeroom pantry is ready to service our family once again. I hope to do a little tour of our pantry soon also.


A dear reader (and may I say friend?) sent these beautiful bits of goodies to me this summer (shown in these pictures). I had to photograph them for her as a special "thank you". The package smelled of lavender and was packed with lovelies to craft with, sew with, play with and gift-give with! Thank you Angela for all the love you placed in that "old fashioned letter"! 


I would also like to thank everyone for the kind comments that were left when I was away! Next week, I plan to do a little giveaway as a "back to blogging" celebration. It will be of a book that I really love and look to for homemaking inspiration and projects! I hope to have you all join in :)


"And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee."
~ Psalm 39:7

On a sad note, the latest scandal in the papers (and over the last few years) with men who professed to follow God has been weighing heavily upon me. With each ugly event, you wonder, who can be trusted? Like the law shows us our need for grace and a Saviour, so these broken people shout out to me that there is none perfect but our Lord. He is the only one worthy to put our complete adoration, trust and hope in (and not in the latest author, Christian celebrity, or homeschooling and church leadership).


"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
~ Matthew 24:13

Perhaps this is why I quote the dearly departed more often than the living as they have finished the race, fought the fight and endured unto the end. We can not become complacent dear readers! This earthly life is an ongoing battle and we must stay strong and on guard as keepers of the home.



"After all, the mistress of the home determines the general atmosphere under her roof; her emotional state sets the standard and the tone."
~ Elizabeth George, Beautiful in God's Eyes

With this in mind, however, my focus will not be in the latest scandal or the ugly news, but in the environment I can control, my little cottage. We women can determine the thermostat in our own worlds. We can frost it with love or focus on the cold and negative. My desire is to set the tone of warmth with security, coziness, kisses and lots of homemade goodness! What about you?

60 comments:

  1. Hi Jes,
    It's so good to have you back again. I'm looking forward to more of you posts.
    Enjoy the rest of the week.
    Julie xo

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    1. Thank you Julie, I look forward to making a visit over to your "place" soon :)

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  2. What a lovely post! I too have been traveling and recently returned home. I love keeping my home and was beginning to miss it!

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    1. I can very much relate Patsi! Welcome home! :)

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  3. Welcome back and that is a very thoughtful gift..s,so you.

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    1. Wasn't it? It really put a smile on my face! :) I hope your summer was a lovely one!

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    1. Ah, thank you Jennifer! I hope your summer went well! From the looks of your new chicken coop, it did! :)

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  5. Hey, we're just glad you are back! It was like losing a friend there for several months. Seriously.
    I wish I wouldn't look at the news since it's mostly all bad, but being the curious sort, I do.
    Jesus is the only man who was ever fully trustworthy in my opinion. Everyone else has and is prone to sin. Some sins seem worse to us than others, but they aren't to the Lord. All we are supposed to do is trust and obey... and encourage each other. And you do that very well. And for that...we thank you!

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    1. Yes, the news is a real downer but the Scriptures are the real upper! Thank you for the kind welcome and sharing these important reminders! :) You have been a joy to get to know! :)

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  6. Oh, a BIG welcome home to you, sweet friend! So happy to have you back...thank you for always keeping the link-up live while you were away and for blessing us with so many lovely posts, too! Glad you are safe and sound in your cottage. :) Much love to you, JES!

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    1. Ah, thank you for the warm welcome Cheryl! :)

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    1. Thanks Kristi, it is nice to be back and visiting you all once again :)

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  8. Welcome Back, Jes! So glad you enjoyed your time away, I've always loved the saying " there's no place like home!" There's some truth to that. We went on a little vacation for 6 days and I was so glad to be home after our getaway. Everything new and refreshed, well it's just wonderful!
    I would rather be home making cookies, teaching my kids, doing laundry and filling my home with love and laughter than dealing and focusing on the woes of the world.
    I hope you continue to find rest and enjoyment in the days to come.... you've been missed!
    Hugs, Amy

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    1. You said it so perfectly Amy! I couldn't agree more. Thank you for the kind welcome! :)

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  9. Welcome back Jes! Glad you had a wonderful time away, but please know that you were missed in blogland ;-) Lovely post.
    Lori

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    1. Thank you Lori, it is nice to be visiting with you all again! :)

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  10. So glad you're back! It makes my heart happy that you enjoyed the goodies :)

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    1. Absolutely Angela {insert big smile} ! :) Thank you once again!!! :)

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  11. What wise words JES. I find that the uglier the world around me becomes, the more I turn to my own home and family as a sanctuary. We can all do this and give our loved ones a place of beauty and peace to which to escape. I love this post. Thankyou. Mimi xxx

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  12. I am glad you have returned from your travels, happy and healthy! As a reader of your blog, I would like to say that I thank YOU for being such a great writer, for sharing all your medicinal recipes, your wisdom and your weekly blog party! Welcome home.

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    1. Thank you so much for the kind and warm welcome Vickie!

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  13. I so appreciated this reminder to keep my home a happy place! I have just recently found your blog and am anxious for you to resume blogging! Just curious, where is your homeland?

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    1. Ah, thank you for taking the time to comment so kindly Maria! As far as my homeland goes, when I started this blog, my husband asked that I keep out details as he is a private man. I have tried very hard to do this though it is hard at times! :) Thank you for understanding! Perhaps one day I will be at liberty to share more :) I hope your remaining summer is lovely!

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  14. Welcome Home!! I so love that quote by Elizabeth George... I own the book, ( Beautiful in God's Eyes) and I do remember that in there. It's been my challenge ever since to be mindful of the temperature I expel out into my home. :)

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    1. Nice to hear from you Bevy! I also own the book and it is on my nightstand right now being devoured :) I am right there with you on that challenge! :)

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  15. So glad you are safely back. Hope your trip was everything you wanted it to be.
    Linda

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    1. Thank you very much Linda! I am thankful to arrive safely as it was a wild adventure on the way home! It will take some time to get me back into a plane again :) Thank you for taking the time to comment!

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  16. Glad to see you back! I know what you mean - I am definitely a homebody at heart and will feel sorely adrift being away for an extended period.
    The Elizabeth George quote is exactly right. I know some people who think I am too insular as although I keep up to date with the news, I don't spend inordinate amounts of time discussing it or over-thinking it. My home and my family are my focus and if that makes me old-fashioned, then so be it. Blessings to you and I look forward to more lovely posts.

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    1. I believe I am old fashioned like you then Jayne! Thank you for sharing and the kind welcome! :)

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  17. Dear Jes, Welcome home! There is no place like home!
    I just read what Mimi said and feel the same. Home is the sanctuary. As it is just spring here I have started spring cleaning too which is extra fluffing up the home!
    Lovely lovely post and images too! With love, Annabel.xxx

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    1. There is nothing like dear old spring to bring on that nesting instinct! Thank you for sharing here today Annabel! :)

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  18. Welcome back dear friend. It's good to read your words again.

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    1. Thank you Katie! Nice hearing from you! I hope all are okay in your home?

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  19. I'm so very glad you've come back, my sweetest JES, I've been missing you so much even if I do admire you for all the work you prepared and scheduled before than leaving, you're unique, my lovely lady !

    And if you want to celebrate your return, let's do it, with great love I'll be by your side, be sure !
    Have a blessed weekend ahead
    with all my heart
    Dany

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    1. Aw Dany, you are such a sweetheart! Thank you for your kind sentiments and warm welcome! :)

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  20. So glad you are back! I am looking forward to your beautiful posts! : )

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    1. Oh thank you Sarah, I look forward to visiting your beautiful blog once again also :)

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  21. I'm so thankful to see you made it back safely and hear of your refreshment at being back home. We love to go and LOVE to get home :) Welcome back!!

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    1. So very true Jacqueline! Thank you for taking the time to comment my friend ;)

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  22. It's so great that your back. There is no place like your own home. Your posts always put a peace in my heart so it will be great reading them again.

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    1. Thank you Vickie! And I look forward to reading more of your frugal posts :)

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  23. It's nice to go away, but it's always nicer to return home, where the heart is. Thank you for stopping over my place and leaving a comment, and following along. I enjoy your place and find it a comfortable and homey place for friends to gather. :)

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  24. Jes,
    Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    I am so glad that you enjoyed your time away and we are so glad to have you back in the the Blogging World!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  25. Welcome back Jes.
    Being a very long time.
    Blessings to you

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  26. Welcome back Jes.
    Being a very long time.
    Blessings to you

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  27. Yay! You're back! Glad to hear it was a lovely time with family. I'm with you, I LOVE to come home!;)Welcome home!

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    1. Ah, thank you Farmlife Chick! Home is where the heart is, that is for sure... I have to admit, I was kind of pining for it at the end... It was a bit too long away but an interesting opportunity came and we had to take it! :) Thank you for taking the time to comment! I hope your summer went well!

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  28. I was feeling the exact same about the latest scandals...needed to hear there were others that were just as bothered. Will definitely refocus...
    "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil. 4:8

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to share in this area! My husband and I were just talking about how the people must have felt when they realized David's sin with Bathsheba and Uriah... What dreary times... I think the verse in Philippians is perfect! Thank you for the encouragement and reminder!

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  29. I found out about your blog and link party while you were away. I have been so blessed by the sweet community of women here. Welcome back home. Its always nice to go away but even better to cone home. I love what you said, "We women can deteontrol the thermostat of our worlds."

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  30. What a lovely post, dear JES! You were certainly missed and I can imagine it feels wonderful to be in your own home again :)

    Isn't Angela one of the sweetest ladies ever?! She is simply precious and so full of love and kindness. Your little delights from her are beautiful. Thanks for sharing with Roses of Inspiration! Have a wonderful week! Hugs!

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