Thursday, June 17

Grace at Home No. 427


Sometimes I approach a day thinking "This is a red-letter day!" This is usually when there's something really special on my calendar. Today is one of those days--it's my middle son Preston's 28th birthday. And what a special, wonderful son he is! Here's the latest photo of the two of us.


But sometimes a day is special not for a fun reason like a birthday, but for a somber one. Today is also that kind of day. A good friend of ours died this week, and today we'll be attending his memorial service. He was just 59 years old. His wife is only 58. We are shocked and dismayed.

Isn't that the way life is? The good mingled with the bad. Sunshine AND storms. 

Our friend's death has made me think deeply about how I want to be living my life. I know for sure that I want my sphere of influence—my home, my family, my work, my friendships—I want everything I touch to be full of grace. And so I am grateful to host this little party celebrating all the ways YOU make your homes full of grace.

Here are some highlights from last week's party.

If you've done any furniture shopping lately, you know that prices have really risen—which makes shopping for secondhand furniture a must for many of us. But what if you find a wooden piece that needs serious repair? Kristi from French Creek Farmhouse shows us step-by-step how she rescued this beautiful dresser.


Now that summer is here full-force, you might be longing to brighten up the rooms of your house. If so, you'll be glad that Penny from Penny's Vintage Home shows us her summertime kitchen.


Do you like to decorate for patriotic holidays like Independence Day? If so, you'll want to see how Paula from Sweet Pea made this fun wreath. (After a long career as a teacher, Paula writes the best tutorials!)


If you'd like to decorate with red, white, and blue in a more understated way, take a look at this post from Julie at My Wee Abode.


Longing to make meal planning simpler this summer? Alison from Simplified Motherhood has some great ideas.

Here's an intensely practical post: Kristi from French Creek Farmhouse shows you, step by step, how to sew a ladder stitch.


And if you'd like some good advice for summertime reading, I know no better guide than Michele Morin from Living Our Days. 


Thank you to everyone who linked up!

Now for today's party.  Here at the Grace at Home party, you can link up any post you've written that demonstrates how you're filling your own home with truth, goodness, and beauty. I invite you to link posts about
  • DIY projects
  • decorating
  • recipes
  • hospitality
  • homemaking tips
  • parenting
  • marriage
  • faith
  • self-care
  • soul care
Whatever you do to make your home a place of grace, I'd like to hear about it.  Here's what I ask of you.  Please include the permalink to your post, not your blog's home page.  Please let people know that you've linked up.  No more than three posts per person, please.  Note that if you link a post here, you are giving me permission to share your post, including a photo.  And visit at least one of the other party participants--that's what really makes it a party!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter



15 comments:

  1. Richella, happy birthday to Preston! That is a lovely photo of the two of you. I am so sorry about the passing of your friend. May the family and you all feel the comforting peace of our Heavenly Father and May His Grace abound in the coming days!

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  2. Richella, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend ...

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  3. Happy birthday to your son! I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. You're so right, joy and sorrow seem bound up together in this life.

    You've shared lots of good things this week (like you always do!) I'm trying to decide whether an old dresser is worth refurbishing, so I'll look into Kristi's post. And I love simple meals when it's hot and/or busy, so I'll check that one out, too. Thanks for hosting this share-a-thon!

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  4. Oh, such a loss. My Heart goes out to you, and I am so grateful for your faithfulness here every week, and your always encouraging words for my work.

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  5. So sorry for your loss! It's so interesting how something like that can really make us think, and put things into perspective. I enjoy seeing what you share with us here!

    Alexandra
    EyeLoveKnots.com
    OnRockwoodLane.com

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  6. Thanks for hosting, Richella. And thank you so much for the feature! It's such a blessing to me! How fun to celebrate with your son! And I, too, am sorry for the loss of your friend. The Lord certainly gives and takes away...blessed be His name! Hoping your weekend is full of grace and joy!

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  7. Beautiful picture Richella and Happy Birthday to Preston. I am so sorry for your loss! The song "Borrowed Angels" comes to mind. 59 years old is so young but for some reason that we can't yet understand "Heaven needs him back again." Thanks for all you do!

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  8. I'm delighted to see my summer kitchen included in your features this week.....thank you!

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  9. Richella, you look beautiful in the celebration with your son. Happy Birthday to Preston. Death is certainly the most somber of life events, but my hope is that your friend is resting in glory and you can celebrate his life for that. Thank you for inviting us in to share our own feelings of grace at home.

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  10. Richella,
    So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend....Glad that you got to celebrate your son's Birthday with him...
    Thanks again for hosting this lovely party every week! I know how much time and effort goes into doing so and it is greatly appreciated!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  11. Happy birthday to your dearest. You looks so pretty Richella.
    Thank you for hosting the party.
    Happy Father's Day.
    Fabby

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  12. I'm so sorry for your loss. That's a beautiful picture of you & your son and Happy Birthday to him. Yes life is a roller coaster ride full of ups and downs. We have to relish those ups and hold on to them to give us strength during the dips. Sending you good thoughts and thank you so much for hosting all of us. Have a blessed week. XO- MaryJo

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  13. I am so very sorry about your friend. What a terrible shock.

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  14. Thank you so much Richella for hosting. Have a wonderful day!

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  15. Such a lovely picture of you with your handsome son! How fun!! I'm sorry to hear about your friend. We had a similar loss this morning which shocked us completely. You are right, it is about the Sunshine & the Storms. Speaking of sunshine, it was 118 today in Arizona! Hot and hotter is on the horizon! lol Have a wonderful week!

    Hugs,

    Tee xo

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