Homekeeping {and Pretty Kitchen Linens!}

When we're in a season of waiting, and we are asking God to do something for us, it can be helpful to take a look at our lives and our homes and see if we are doing our best with what we already have.  
In other words, is it realistic to ask God for "more" (bigger house, better opportunities, more stuff, better job, more money, better stuff, nicer car, etc) if we aren't doing the best we can with what we've already been blessed with? 

This teaching hit home many years ago when my husband and I (and 3 kids) wanted out of our tiny 960 square foot house with a little patch of yard-and into something "bigger and better". Every time we tried to sell, or made an offer on a bigger place, some obstacle came up preventing our move and we were frustrated. I became aware that I probably was not honoring the home I already had to the best of my ability. After all, when you are spending all your time trying to be rid of something, you aren't likely caring for it, or showing appreciation for it, the best you can. I know I wasn't!

 
When I started actively thanking God for what we already had, trusting his timing, and taking better care of things (the best I could in 960 sq ft with 5 people!), things changed drastically. Long (er) story for another time.

Anyway, I was very convicted about my house last week, and a blogging break was in order to take care of some things. As a home centered family, things tend to get pretty messy and cluttered around here. It can get to the point where I cannot think clearly, or be creative (or even be nice!) which is what had happened. 

I'm not asking God for a better house, but I am asking him to move in other ways in my life and I want to do a better job of paying attention to how I'm tending what I already have. Is that really hard for anyone else, or is it just me??

That being said, I just want to show you some pretty pictures today! Yay for a moment of being shallow! : )
 

Recently, I won a giveaway over at twelveOeight for a shop credit to the Frugal Ain't Cheap Etsy shop. I've never won anything before, and I was SO excited! 

I've been a fan of Daniela's blog and shop for some time, and I knew it would be hard to choose what I wanted from the shop!  I really did need kitchen towels, so it was such a blessing to be able to pick from her pretty creations. I ended up getting a set of 3 "standard" size towels, a set of 2 large towels (I might use those for something else...) and a set of 4 dropcloth placemats. 

  
A few new things is a great excuse to play around and take some photos of the dining area, right?

  
I tried the placemats both ways. Vertically, with the numbers in front of the plate.



And horizontally, with the numbers to the side of the plate. Which direction do you prefer? I hope my rumpled tablecloth isn't too distressing for the perfectionists out there. This is my design style-a little messy, a little pretty : ) 

  Cake stand available here

In our previous home, we had a large patch of lavender right outside the front door. This little sprig is a keepsake of that. It's not in very good shape anymore, but I still think it has a little charm left in it!

  
I thought I'd throw in one with the refrigerator so you can see how small the dining area really is. We still usually eat around the island in the kitchen (just to the left) so we don't really need more of a dining room than this right now, anyway : )

Earlier this week, my oldest daughter brought each of us a "Happy Spring!" gift, and mine was this beautiful white mug with a pretty bird on the handle. I just love it! 

I'd just like to point out that every item in this room is either handmade, thrifted, gifted or now won! {Except for my dining table and chairs, from JCPenney about 5-6 years ago!}

Being able to get a few new pretty things is such an enormous treat for me! Thanks again to Daniela, Tanya, and my daughter Tess!

Farmhouse bucket available here

Hoping you all have some pretty in your weekend! 

   Jeanette

Sharing over at:

Be Inspired at Common Ground 

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage 

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home 
Power of Pinterest at Fox Hollow Cottage 
and Debbiedoo's 
Party Junk at Funky Junk Interiors 
Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill 
Creative Bloggers Party at Homemaker on a Dime 
Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm 
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House 
The Scoop! 
Knick of Time Tuesday 
Welcome Home Wednesday at Vintage on a Dime 
Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style 
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson 
Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable
Creative Inspirations at Embracing Change 
Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters 
Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch to Yours 
Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse