New mercies.

Well I am back, it has been a spell, I know.

It has been 7 or 8 months.

After the passing of my father I just did not want to feel compelled to write, share, explore. I never began this to "get, or keep followers" 

( although~  I love the feedback...and the women I have connected with have been great.) 

I began blogging to wake up a part of me that I had let go dormant. To be brave and "create" out from under a bushel.

I needed to dare to dream again, out loud~ and so I

began with that in mind.

Now, in a new season I want to blog to share observations, adventures, happenings on the creative front as well as revelations of deeper sentiments.

I will probably not write lengthy posts but simple sweet updates, and whatever the days bring or my heart has to share.

I am on the verge of a very big new adventure, a fulfillment of a long time vision, an "above and beyond more than I could think to ask"  adventure... and I just know it is for me to share. 

I was told a long time ago that my story is not my own...I know I LOVE reading others stories, and learn so much it would only make sense that having the diligence and courage to share may inspire or comfort or encourage someone else. 

This is a "new beginning" post. I will be sharing in the days to come the "winding up" for my next project and try to document it in a sweet simple way as it comes to fruition.

Thank you for hanging with me...


I am excited to share my dreams with you.

A Beautiful Mess Antiques: A BEAUTIFUL MESS TURNS "ONE" TODAY & GIVEAWAY!!!

A Beautiful Mess Antiques: A BEAUTIFUL MESS TURNS "ONE" TODAY & GIVEAWAY!!!: As the saying goes..... " Time Flies When You're Having Fun." It's hard to believe that a year ago today we were celebrating the Grand Ope...

Blink...NOT!

Wait 20 seconds for music to start!






Thanks for hangin in there... the last two posts were emailed around to a load of family who are not blog savvy and I left them for all to share ...These are things that matter~ not keeping up with wonderbloggers! Hopefully can I find a good stride now!

Moving on.

It is here. Yes... the Final exam of Parenthood, High School~ has arrived.

I looked for Zach Ephron and company doing a choreographed welcome dance... NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.

I did not see Miley and Taylor strumming a guitar either... as a matter of fact it was really anti-climactic.

A week of errand running, haircuts, backpacks, grooming of all sorts... and then in a tear filled blink of an eye it was a 5 minute drive and a few 14 year old girl shrieks accentuated by nerves

and then "o.k. mom...drop me off here...I will text you after school." Although I swear she muttered something about wanting to be homeschooled... she then dropped it as soon as a~ boy.~I MEAN GUY... walked by...

Thank God for BFF's. Seriously...blessed in the buddy category.

I remember their graduation from elementary school, the midnight showings of Twilight, cd releases at Wal-mart... Eyeliner...then more eyeliner ... It seems to FLY by...

I know that the next four years will buzz by too... I'm praying to stay present and grateful...

They are treasures and will be difference makers. Here's to a new season!

G.O. S.O.P.H.I.E. And J.A.Y.M.I.E...GOOOOO Girrllls!

The thin space.

tap tap... hello?... I realize this has been a few and far between.
I hope you stick with me!

I was just getting back in the blogging groove and I was called away, again~ to see my dad.
I have needed to just take my time to process that event.

The wierd thing about the season of death is ~it's beginnings are sudden, even if you have been given the grace of expecting it.

It is ( at least in my experiences) strangely calm. The emotional wave that begins is what I did not know how to prepare for.

The wave is comforting and rythmic then all of a sudden an undertoe of profound grief ( NOT regret) but g.r.i.e.f. ~just deep soul sadness at the loss~ will pull me under for a moment, then I surface again and "all is well." Maybe even better for the release.

He has decided to die at home, not in a hospital or hospice. His wife tends to his needs quarter hourly. Adjusting sheets, injecting meds...taking messages from ( 100's of) friends and relatives, flipping channels and when he asks for it grabbing a banana or sip of ice water. Her attitude is .."it is a privilge...to deliver him." Just beautiful.

The details are not what I saw though. When I went in to His house to stay, I realized I was in a holy place.

Really, I call it the "Thin space." The place where eternity and present intersect. Where the eternal is beginning to eclipse the reality of the present.

One thing about my dad is he has lived with intense intention. His mind and heart were searching most of his life. He has commited himself to social work, holistic living, nature, learning, friendships, travels. He loves living. He has now prepared to die with the same "mindfulness" that he approached living.

Now, from what I observe, he loves finishing the race with dignity and peace that are ONLY produced by removing the "static" of the mundane and the little details of our physical life.

He keeps reassuring us that he is not sad. He is ready. He wants to be giving love and a peaceful presence as long as his mind and body will allow him to.

I looked around his home and saw the shadows of today in the gleaming promise of what is to come. I saw flowers delivered by a friend, for him to enjoy. I saw a table lovingly organized with syringes, swabs and medication. I saw a ball hat with the human rights symbol emblazoned on it.

I saw cards and notes form people wishing to express comfort and peace...

Then~ when I looked at him I saw a physical shadow of who he used to be BUT I saw a spirit that was gaining strength and wholeness by facing the inevitable passage with courage and humilty.

I had to hug him goodbye. I had to get up and walk away knowing, that it was the last time I would hold his hand. ( something we did my entire life.) I had to tell him , that it was ok, that our leg of the journey was appreciated and and that I received the heart he had for me as a father, I had to promise dance with him when we got "there."

I am still understanding the impact of staying there with him in that "thin space" has had on me, it is a life changing encounter. To view all I do knowing that day WILL come for me as a wife, as a mother as friend to someone else...It inspires me to bring as much of that eternity in to RIGHT now as I possibly can...

Thanks dad, for the beautiful example. I love you. Always will.

ahhhh time to refresh.

Hellooooooo. I realize I may have lost your interest. I have taken a looong break.


I have been "fasting" a lot of computer activity and focusing on helping my daughter finish middle school and look towards high school~ strong.

I have been re-energizing my relationship with my sweet husband
and deeply processing some feelings of grief, which break way into acceptance. ahhh.

I have to say Spring is my fave time of year.
The regrowth, the expectation the freshness of it all... I am always smitten with the blooms, scents, the farmers markets, outdoor events, rain breaking way to sunny days...
the perfect ones.

I love the neighbor toddlers walking around outside with popsicles,
not to mention the garage sales and lemonade stands...
yes~ I truly love spring.

It screams out fresh start. New beginnings, wide open spaces.

What are you greatly anticipating?

GG Boots.

Today is a day that changed the world.

It changed countless lives, and it set the course for mine. Today was the day my "GG" was born.

In March of 1917... the height of the influenza epidemic... my sweet grandma Francesca was born.

Her father was older...50 ish... and an accomplished barber, her older brother was her aunts son...( he married sisters...)~ life appears to have always been complicated!~ The influenza epidemic claimed her mother. They were both ill and her mother lost her life caring for her... typical mother love.So in way, with an older father and a deceased mother GG was an orphan. She spent time with a swedish immigrant family in Omaha with 11 children. Her father would visit her on the weekends. She says it was a happy childhood...

Later she married my " bohunk" ( slang for Czech) grandfather Alphonse. They spent time at the "beer joint" , the Sokol hall... and danced and drank with all the Czech and Polish couples starting thier lives in America. They had four children who had an army of children...They owned a stocked lake and made a living from the packing house, owned a "tavern" and "Gypsies" who would fish from the lake all Summer, some Carp, some Catfish... nobody could clean and fry a fish like GG.

The overarching one truth about Grandma Frances was ... if it needed to eat, needed to talk, needed a hug, needed money, needed a footrub... ( she had a reflexology license in the 60's) she was there. The Super nurturer. There was no animal, baby, soul in her world, that was not loved deeply and tenderly.

She gave up A LOT and waited on, cared for, tended to, fed, loved anything and everything in her grasp... I can NOT think of a more profound legacy...

Grandma Thank you for the example! Happy Birthday GG!

Adventure Project!

Please read Amanda's post... she puts it beautifully... and brings the reality of the need home to us...

http://purvistribe.blogspot.com

Help us raise money today... the link below is set for you to do so!!!







http://www.theadventureproject.causevox.com/

Magpie will also be selling AMAZING soaps in the shop... starting 3/22 all proceeds support

The Adventure Project!

Much Love, and appreciate the simple grace of a clean glass of water!

Nebraska the Good Life.

I know I am so infrequent... I miss you guys!
I went "home" to visit my dad, and grandma, and (step) daughter and her kids... I went home mostly to spend my time with my dad.
He has been dealing with a stage 4 cancer diagnosis for 10 years... and is an inspiration.
He has learned every aspect of nutrition, healthy living, being intentional in every area of life...so that it matters... he is a picture of strength and dignity.

His wife, Susan, is a perfect example of helpmate, friend and partnership. Not only is she a mother, she runs her own very formidable law firm, serve on countless committees for causes she believes in ...she also is an author, takes care of my father and is a brilliant hostess! sheesh...I'm tired now.

I can not remember a table that was not fully turned out at her house... usually after an important hearing or speaking engagement... talk about bringing home the bacon AND frying it up in he pan!

It was awesome to be be there and watch the intentionality with which they both approach things... very important lesson... they really try not to ever spread themselves too thin ...which is easy to do!

One of the values they share, and have impressed me with is to celebrate every aspect of your life! Your waking, your working, eating, resting, even your dying... yes... a beautiful example to follow!

We loved being back in " The GOOD Life..." YES! I LOVE COLORADO!!! but there is so much about the Midwest to celebrate! The simplicity, and beauty in rural living...

The very strongly held convictions by all. The full intensity of the seasons. The traditions and consistency of a strongly grounded community.

I fell in love with this guy... what a honey!

On the road to my fathers farm I was struck with the faith it requires to push ahead only seeing a little ahead before the bend in the road, the reality and severity of each season, the truth that sometimes we most trust that our comfort will come... but our job is to proceed... and be open for it.

It was cold, damp and chilly. Yet, there was burgeoning of what was coming... there was an expectancy of the warmth~ of rebirth~ of Spring...

Yes, I was blessed with the revelation that there is beauty in every season and celebrating it is our not only our privilege but our responsibilty.

Happy Sunday!

Could it be possible?

This is my Sophie. She is proudly modeling the new feathers she had put in her hair.
She is also proudly modeling her "birthday makeup..." because today she is 14. ( cue gasp.)

It is not possible right? I am only 23...oh yeah ~I already told you I was 40.

Today I can hardly believe there are only a few ~ 4 maybe 5 more summers, of her at home, it seemed like we had plenty of time... and today I am very painfully aware that every minute must be treasured. It really flies. Listen to me moms of little ones...Don't blink.

We started her day off with Krispy Kremes and candles...( don't tell Mrs. Obama, I don't think she likes me as it is...)
We are going to pick her up from school for a Jimmy Johns Lunch... and her dad and I might shed a tear over coffee this morning...we are softee's.

Happy Birthday Sweet Sophia... you are a container of Joy! I love you.

What comes around goes around...

Twelve years ago... I started making jewelry and selling it in local Omaha Boutiques...
I enjoyed a following of collectors of my wearable one fo a kind art.
That season came to an end 4 years ago when I moved to Colorado.

The new season, opened up my creative view...and I dove into furniture restoration, upcycling vintage and found items... rescuing anything old and useful... I enjoy my retail space and interior design opportunities~ I live a creative dream!

So now it is a new year, new season, and the jewelry has crept back into my repetoire of creative living... I have to admit I love EVRY SINGLE ONE OF THESE!

They are all one of a kind, and a perfect mix of old, and tarnished alongside the beautiful twinkle of vintage rhinestone.

These and more will be available 2.18.11 at Magpie in the Barn... come down if your local and see!

Remember to do something you love everyday!

Muahhh!

Peace.

Hey you.

I am so pleased that we are thawing out. I have been cooped up inside and not very productive for a week now. We have had some brutal winter weather... which here in Colorado is typically mild with erratic storms. Not used to the long stretches.
With my husband and daughter home it is difficult to find time to escape and write~ or escape and think for that matter...

I have also been faced with the news of my fathers diagnosis/prognosis. This has been a low grade concern for years but actually has become very clear that the time left is brief. ( Less than 6 months brief.) I am accepting of this and had a long time to process... but nothing can actually prepare you for the REALITY that someone you love so much is dying.
The immense heaviness of it bears on all you do... whether you are aware of it or not. I am not fighting the facts or angry or demanding answers, but I am grieved... in a deep deep way. Grief is a very unique emotion because ~ I have found ~ it is wrapped in acceptance which in ITS OWN SWEET TIME can give way to peace.

In studying the biblical root word for Peace, I have found that the English language is so one dimensional...Peace like Love are flat little words in our language. In the Hebrew Peace ( Shalom) has multi-faceted meaning: Perfect. Whole. Complete. Lacking in NO good thing.

Now, as a parent I empathize so much with what my dad must be feeling. I will someday be faced with watching my daughter ~watch me leave this earth... and it would burden me so if she was striving and angry and broken. I would want her to have Peace. Perfection. Wholeness.
This is what I wish for her... so I can only imagine this is what will lighten my own fathers load as he walks toward the horizon of his life. My heart is to grieve my way to deep peace and live like he has tried to teach me all along... his theme to me has been " don't worry~ bout a thing... evry little thing is gonna be all right" ...

Come to think of it this is our heavenly Fathers message as well...

ALL is WELL.

and the precious Lord said... MY PEACE I leave to you.

I can through this time of change more deeply experience this truth. For that I am thankful.

Have a peaceful beautiful full weekend!

Open handed life ( pt. 2)

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.

...love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

When I look at the attributes I talked about in the previous

post... the next one that really touches me is generosity.

One thing that has been burgeoning so deep in my heart is always be generous of spirit. When I am with people I am learning to discipline myself to be totally present. To avail myself.

It is written that "deep calls to deep" and I believe that ones heart knows if you are turned toward them and available.

Generosity is an attitude, not an occasional act, or donation. This is a paradigm shift that has most got my attention lately.

Generosity also encompasses the others, you most humble yourself to give, it is evident that it is sincere, and it usually is expressed as some form of hospitality...

Happy February... happy open handed life!

Open handed life. ( part one.)

Hello... is it February? What?I have missed you.

I realize I have not been the most faithful at posting, I truly love it A LOT ...but honestly I can't sit down and and "plop" something out for the sake of a new post. Then there is laundry, my marriage, volleyball and my business...the usual suspects.

Truth be told, I would prefer to be off at a great retreat, honing my photography, creating anything... another road junkin trip. However, I am a wife and mother who runs a business and sometimes blogs...

When I started blogging... it was not to "build" a following, "wow" the creative community, share all my wardrobe choices, or enter in to the sorority of blogging which ~ which all are great~by the way ~each a really interesting dynamic...for another time...

No. I started because, I was flat lining creatively, I was ( really still am) in the middle of a major life upheaval and my temptation was to wall off and play it safe. Keep it "close to the vest" and observe.
Then there was a still small voice that reminded me...do not put your light under a basket. Safety is not the goal... your life is not your own.

Which brings me to this... "The open handed life."

I just heard a beautiful message on this. In light of my own fathers cancer progression...these words are very powerful to me. I don't want a closed fist demanding why? I want to have an outstretched hand that gives and receives a loving, powerful life.

There are five fingers on the open hand.

1. Authenticity.2. Generosity.3. Humility.4. Sincerity.5. Hospitality.

Authenticity. The first attribute... a very important one to me. Again, why I don't regularly post because I just can't...so that being said, I have no intention of informing my fellow bloggers on how to be authentic or what that looks like. I believe your journey is your own and I will applaud you along your path. Thanks for spending time with me on mine! I am humbled and thankful that anyone has taken a moment to have a look.
I will continue to find my own way around an authentic, beautiful life.
And although it is counter intuitive for me, I will continue to share it ( generosity).
I will continue to say whats on my heart ~ the good , the bad and the trivial ( sincerity).
I will continue to hone my writing or photography knowing there is always room for improvement
( humility) ... if I waited till I was great at it I would never start...
and I will continue to invite you to stop by and share the journey...
( hospitality.)

I want to underscore the gratitude that I feel for the encouragement, kind words, new friendships... It makes the risk totally worth it!

p.s. I believe a beautiful example of a transparent, authentic blog is Humble Pie.
Lissa has shared her pain and triumph, her delight in the little things and her lesson in a way that is not glossy or disingenuous. Her loveliness is evolving and self evident. When you have some time read through her archives and be blessed by her vulnerability.
I was so moved by her willingness to put it all out there, and to keep evolving, I love this approach and am inspired to do the same. Enjoy!

Simply Adore...

Synonyms: love, cherish, worship

transitive verb
1
: to worship or honor as a deity or as divine
2
: to regard with loving admiration and devotion
3
: to be very fond of


Sometimes words are watered down.~ Sometimes we throw them around like a nerf football...
Really they are containers of POWER.

Do you Adore a pair of shoes? or a candle from Anthro? Really?

I am totally guilty of designating a lot of excitement to things that really don't merit it... I am a communicator...it is par for the course. This year I am trying to simplify and get down to what matters most!

Two things rise up in my heart when I sit still ~ simple and adore.

Actually it is more like this..."Simply Adore Me."

My created purpose at the end of the day is to to love and worship God, enjoy Him and His creation.

I increasingly see that adoring what and who He has entrusted me with is His preferred form of being worshipped... 2011 will be dedicated to Simply Adoring...


Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. ( I Chronicles 29:11)

I adore my daughter... especially her laugh!

I adore my husband.. best friend.

I adore my little companion... love with fur on it!

Xo.

Boil it down.

Just some gratuitous photos of Magpie.

But more than that~ what is emerging in my retail shop is reflective of my personal life. It is pared down, basics, elemental, raw.

No superfluous fluff. No embellishments... just the inherent beauty of form and function, patina from time, no manipulations...

My words for the New Year are "SIMPLY ADORE."

More on Adore later...I'm starting with Simple.

Enjoy, XO.