Passover is Coming!

I came to the realization this week that we have less than 2 months until Passover.  What an exciting thought!  When Sukkot was over, the 6 months before Passover seemed like it would take forever. But, we’re already down to 2 months and I know we have lots of preparations for our appointed time with the Creator of the Universe. How awesome is it that He wants to meet with us?! I wouldn't think of missing an appointment He has marked on his calendar to spend time with me. (Lev 23:4-5)  So, the preparations begin. 

Spiritually – I have so much to think about.  It has been a difficult year spiritually and emotionally.  I have spent many hours wondering if I am living out what God has given me in a way that glorifies Him.  The end of our family letter from 2011 says it well:

“I pray that God gives us the strength to endure the trials ahead, the wisdom to guide the children he has blessed us with, the peace to know that He is in control and the comfort we need when we feel like we’re out of control. And, most of all, I pray that He is glorified by the life we live as we follow Him with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength.”

But, that hasn’t been an easy thing this year.  Sometimes, it’s very clear how we should live to glorify Him.  And sometimes it takes much prayer and listening to God.  There were weeks on end when the only way I could stay sane was to spend hours in the Bible each day.  And, when I see how much I have had to lean on Him, I see why trials strengthen us.  I only pray that I am glorifying Him through it all and I will glorify Him in the future.

Physically – Time to clean up the house. Just like we clean up our spiritual house, we need to clean our physical house.  I no longer spend hours on end scrubbing and cleaning, because I don’t like the physical cleaning to overshadow the spiritual cleaning. But, I do prepare in advance to start running out of leavening and leavened items.  As I start to think about that, I don’t want to buy cases of anything leavened that we don’t use often.  

Two weeks or so before Passover I pull our leavened products out of the pantry and put them in a crate so we can make sure to eat them. And, I make note of the leavened items in the refrigerator and freezer so we can remember to eat them, and also if they haven’t been eaten, we don't forget to throw them away when the busy-ness of the day arrives. A couple of days before Passover, we will start sweeping the house thoroughly.  The day of Passover, we will get rid of any leavening/leavened products that we still have.

I need to start thinking about when we will start the 10 Plague Adventure (Click on the label “Passover” on the list on the right, if you’re interested in that.) because that is actually next month. Fun, fun!  And, of course, we need to think about our Passover service and the delicious meal to follow! Can’t wait!

The Pretty Stuff is Up!

Disclaimer:  These are the “House Beautiful” pictures J  I did move several things off the kitchen counter to make the pictures look better.  So, if you show up at my house, the kitchen will look great (even if it is messy), but you won’t likely ever see it look like this J

We’ll start with the full kitchen view.

We finally got the pretty stuff up.  After they touched up the paint last week, we were ready to put the pretty stuff back up in the kitchen.  I’ve had the teacup holder up in the kitchen for years.  My friend (and much needed advisor for interior design) painted it and I put on new ribbon and flowers.  We have the same tea cups, but I think I’m going to change one out when I find just the right replacement. 

The bay window looks great.  I made a new valance to add a little color. ($7 for a yard of fabric from the fabric store and 15 minutes of sewing.) It’s light green with white polka dots. And, I love the crystals and tea trinkets that are hanging from the window sill. The flowers hanging from the curtain rod are oregano blooms from my garden.  I need another bouquet to hang from the other side. 

We distressed the frame to the left of the window sill.  Actually, we ended up distressing a lot of frames that day.  It was great. Most of them are in different areas of the house, so you won’t see pictures here.  The kids wanted to help and when you paint on the white, it doesn’t actually have to be done well.  So, even the 4 year old was helping.  Then the bigger kids and I did the distressing. 

And, here’s a view of the full wall.

On top of the oven is a basket of our everyday vitamins.  It looks really cute and they’re easy to access.

And, here’s a snazzy feature.  The granite guys took the piece that they cut out for the cook top, cut it into two pieces, polished the edges and made cutouts on the bottom to make it easy to pick up.  I usually leave one on my counter.  But, when we have lots of people over for potlucks and such (which is usually at least twice a month), I can put the pieces on the cooktop and make more counter space.  It’s awesome!

I went to the open-air antique market today for some finishing touches.  I found this cute little thing. I’ll have to put some flowers in it. 

I also found this milk bottle from 1947 to add to my lineup.  I like the pink tint it has.

And, last but not least, I found a saucer to use as a spoon rest.  I want a couple more for the other counters in the kitchen. I’ll have to keep looking until I find just the right plates at just the right price.  I can get a beautiful saucer for cheaper than a spoon rest from Target. And, I couldn’t resist the cute little salt shaker with glass beads in it.  I found them in a shabby chic stand at the market today. I loved that stand.

So, that’s it for the kitchen blogs.  I feel so blessed to have this awesome kitchen and my wonderful  husband who pulled it all together.  And, I’m looking forward to sharing it with many people in the years to come.