Wimberley

    Wimberley Market Days is the oldest outdoor market in Texas and also the second largest in the state. When we first moved to Texas, this was one of my first stops for a mommy's day out. It is seriously a lot of fun. They have almost 500 vendors, live local music and the famous Texas BBQ. For this reason, when I was looking for a market to feature Amara EB I was pretty excited to rent a booth. 

   Since I do not own a booth (yet)) I decided to do the day rental. The way they work is kind of like a lottery. You register online the Thursday before and receive a number. Then show up at 7:00 am to get in line for first dibs on the available booths. I got lucky that it was the first time in two years it was cold and rainy..my number 26 turned into 6. 

I seriously have to laugh at life's timing because the week of the market landed me with sick kids (again). It was like a blur of late nights working on smalls and just as my head hit the pillow..another kiddo was up with a fever. Thank God for advil. To throw more chaos into the mix I had planned on getting my hair done and having friends over for lunch. Which of course I couldn't cancel ;-) 

By Friday my littles were well and my big boys were not. Saturday morning came early at 5 am and we were out of the house by 6:15. Breakfast wraps made and lunch/snacks packed, furniture stacked in my hubby's truck. My car filled with smalls and kiddos. Boy were we a site!

    I found my booth and we unloaded everything in the rain. Stacked the kids in a snuggly pile of blankets and got things set up. This.Is.My.Favorite.Part. ;-) Seriously I love the challenge of making a space homey. When all was said and done, Bria decided that she wished that our booth was our house. HAHA!! I remember thinking like that when I was a little girl. Probably felt like an overgrown playhouse. 

      I have to give a little shout out to my hubby. He is the best. Not only did he help haul all my stuff and corral our kiddos but Saturday was opening day for rifle hunting. You know your man loves you when he is willing to give up opening day! At least this man. 

  Was Wimberley a success? I have to say Yes! No I didn't get a crazy amount of sales but I am not backwards either. I got a lot of great feedback on my stuff. Learned a little. I was encouraged by other vendors to come back next month and I will plan on it. Also a woman stopped by and took down my information. She has a shop in town and is possibly interested in my stuff. We will see where this takes me. 

Crazy Lady with a dolly & Mary Anne again

    Craziness abounds in my household these days. I chuckle because I may have officially convinced my neigbors of my insanity. Oh the joys of living in a little neighborhood! I have been trying to spruce up my photography skills a little and in doing so may or may not have lost my mind. 
   We have this sweet retired couple that live on the lake across from our home. The older gentleman likes to ride around the neighborhood on his golf cart. He hauls his garbage, gives (who I assume are)his grands rides, and spends his afternoons fishing. My kids have dubbed him "The man in the golf cart". Creative, huh. He also probably witnesses the most bizarre happenings going on at his new to the neighborhood, crazy family of seven. (We get LOTS of comments on the 7 part)
    In my futile attempts to photograph *ahem* MaryAnne, I happen to deliver some morning entertainment in the form of crazy lady with a dolly. With our recent (as in 8 months) move to this area my husband purchased a moving dolly. So when racking my brain for ideas on how to photograph this sweet lady *meaning Mary Anne of course* I thought, Aha! I'll haul her outside on my moving dolly!
    Getting her off my front porch was an interesting feat. Did I mention that their is a rather large drop off the step into the yard..like about a foot. If you can imagine a crazy lady with bed head followed by my princess of the bunny slippers, running helter skelter around the yard carting a dresser. Yeah the "man in the golf cart" slowed down quite a bit when he saw me "staging" my dresser by an oak tree, then wheeling her through the ditch to rest in the only spot that worked. It just so happened to be in the middle of the road.

    When I finally got her settled just right, I harriedly snapped a few million pictures in high hopes.  I guess great photography isn't based on high hopes. 

So without further ado, I present MaryAnne; a sweet blend of lightly distressed creamy white, rustic wood and beautiful hand painted knobs. 

    Reminds me of sweet summer and wildflowers. Maybe an afternoon picnic complete with a soft blanket, tart lemonade and childhood laughter. mmmmm...Life is good.
 

Mary Anne and tidbits

   Meet Mary Anne. A beauty in training.

 I am trying to apply finishing touches today. I say trying because...

   

     I have a Princess party to attend with my girls this afternoon. We are to wear "princess" attire. I get to play dress up. 

 My husband and I are hosting our church Bible study this evening, so snacks need to be prepared, house cleaned.

 A shower is in order and some strong coffee on the menu. 

 Life is full. Overflowing. The Twenty-Third Psalm keeps running through my head.

The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul. 

He leads me in the paths of the righteousness 

for His name sake,

Yea tho I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. 

I will fear no evil,

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies

You anoint my head with oil.

 My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever!

Last night I was reading in Isaiah. He talks about the coming of Christ and the picture of how HE loves us is so precious. 

For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; 

You shall weep no more.

He will be very gracious unto you at the sound of your hearts cry;

When He hears it, He will answer you.

And tho the Lord gives you the bread of adversity

and the water of affliction...

Your ear shall hear a word behind you, saying, 

"This is My way, Walk in it."

Whenever you turn to the right hand 

Or whenever you turn to the left.

     This is that still small voice that is so very precious to me. The voice of the good shepherd. So Happy Saturday! Rest in Him for His yoke is easy and His burden light.

The Chelsea Chairs

It's been an interesting week to say the least. A mix of Annie Sloane, church responsibilities, school responsibilities, late nights, early mornings, treasured moments with the kids. And a looming Flea Market deadline ahead. Why do things kick into overdrive when you actually have a deadline of sorts? A full life indeed. Makes me smile(in between the huffs and puffs).

    I found a local supplier of the Annie Sloane chalk paint and loaded up. I finally invested in the Annie Sloane paint brush and wax brush. Worthy investments. The soft bristles get into all the nooks & crannies. That I like. 

         

    These chairs were calling for some color. The Annie Sloane Provence, seemed a good fit. 

        Let me just say that every project seems so much easier than it is in reality. These buggers needed some TLC and new seats. Thankfully I convinced my hubby to pitch in his manpower and know-how. Our end product is more beautiful in person than my lacking photography can portray. 
    Here are details. Let's call them the Chelsea chairs.

         Can't you just picture Chelsea with a small pedestal table, some antique linens,quite possibly fresh cut flowers? The imperfect host to your morning cup of tea? Just saying she deserves some company. 

My Chaos and a Nugget

   If I was ever under any illusions that life would slow down since enrolling my kids, I was sadly mistaken. Days fly by in a blur. I remember the transition into homeschooling. It was hard creating structure in our home at the time. I remember praying specifically for God to "bring order to my chaos". 

    I am renewing that request.

    Recently, I made the decision to pursue my own business. I took the short drive to the County Clerk's office and registered my official name with the state. Applied for my tax ID number and opened my own bank account.

Im officially "Amara Eternally Beautiful", upcycled furniture and home decor. 

  This has been a dream of mine since forever. My husband can attest to that. I have a passion for making a house into a home. I love creating something old, sad, and worn into a work of art. What others consider a lost cause, is my Cinderella.  Maybe this is because that is what God has done for me. My junk, turned treasure. An eye sore with so many imperfections, turned masterpiece. If He can do that with me than, oh the possibilities! The end result, not perfect, but beautifully imperfect and wholly loved. 

  I have lots of decisions to make. Im hoping they are smart ones. I am going to make mistakes. That's ok. I may or may not be deemed "successful", that is ok too. I recently was given a nugget of wisdom about starting your own business.
 "You will have a lot of serious competition. Plan on it. It will get hard and you will feel inadequate. Just remember what you are passionate about and do what you love."

               Im taking this one to the bank.