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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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July 11, 2013

Staircase and Entry Makeover Reveal!

staircase_and_entry_makeover atthepicketfence.com

Never before have I agonized over a decision like the one I’m about to share with you today. Because, well, it was a big decision. And it involved spending money…a chunk of money.

And I couldn’t decide how to spend it.

We’d been planning and saving for awhile and the money just sat there in the bank account….mocking me.

It was an involved decision because one choice affected another choice and so on and so forth.

And the fact that I thought I should try and DIY it wasn’t helping matters.

What decision am I referring to? Well I tell ya!

See that green carpet? Yup. It was there when we moved in and even though I wasn’t crazy about it at the time I wasn’t overly concerned because I knew we would do something about it right away.

staircase before atthepicketfence.com

Well, fast forward 5 years and there it was. And it wasn’t getting any less green. And I could tell you a whole long story about how this green carpet went up the stairs and down the hallway towards the bedrooms but the bedrooms have neutral carpet that didn’t need replacing and that the green carpet was also in the office, living room and dining room but we have hardwood floors in the kitchen, slate in the entry/hallway/downstairs bathroom/laundry room and fairly new carpet in the family room meaning our home essentially had flooring schizophrenia and I just couldn’t figure out how to make the most of our budget and still get the look I wanted.

But I won’t bore you with all of those details.

Instead, I will hang my DIY head in shame and tell you that I did not put hardwood on the stairs because it was crazy expensive. They would have had to disassemble our entire curved staircase.

And even though DIY’ers worldwide are painting/staining their stairs I had to take into consideration the green carpet on the landing and hallway too. And then I’d have to put a runner on it anyway because we’ve had enough slips down our stairs even WITH carpet. And then I still had to decide what to put in the office, living room and dining room.

Agonizing I tell ya!

But I finally put my big girl panties on and made a decision.

The upstairs landing and hallway got hardwood floors…

front door opening to entry foyer makeover reveal atthepicketfence.com

 And the living room, dining room AND stairs all got the same carpet. Yes, that’s right.

I put carpet on my stairs and I’m proud of it!

Curved_staircase_foyer_makeover atthepicketfence.com

Previously, the green carpet had wrapped around the edges of the stairs and when they were ripping off the green (and I was doing the happy dance off in the corner!) I noticed how much more open it being able to see the side of the risers and treads. So, in one of those “hope-this-works-out-and-if-it-doesn’t-it-will-be-an-expensive-mistake-and-what-will-I-tell-my-husband-spur-of-the-moment” decisions, I asked the installers to NOT wrap the new carpet around the edges.

And can I just tell you how relieved I was when it was finished and I LOVED it…and so did my husband!

We did end up having to fill holes, sand and paint it all but that means I can consider this a semi-DIY job, right? 😉

carpeted stair edge atthepicketfence.com

There was just something about the new carpet that had me almost craving going lighter and brighter throughout the house. Like I had come out of a dark cave and into the light of day!

So, I freshened up the entry too with the only purchase being those plates around the mirror.

entry_table_with_mirror_and_plates atthepicketfence.com

Everything else got pulled from other parts of the house.

console_table_in_entry_with_mirror_and_plates atthepicketfence.com

entry_chair_with_pillow atthepicketfence.com

 

plates_around_mirror_in_entry atthepicketfence.com

Even the niche got freshened up a bit with the addition of a large, single-pane window, a basket of flowers and a….whatchamacallit…a ceramic jug…or is that an urn…what would you call that thing?

staircase niche with vintage window atthepicketfence.com

basket__with_flowers_and_vintage_window atthepicketfence.com

 

In the end, I feel good about my decisions. No, GREAT!

Because, they were the right decisions for us.

For our home.

For our family.

For our budget.

 

Curved_staircase_foyer_makeover atthepicketfence.com

 Because that’s what really matters, isn’t it?

stair_makeover_with_carpet atthepicketfence.com

And now, I will walk up my newly carpeted stairs with my semi-DIY head held high, step onto the hardwood floors in my hallway and close the book on the green carpet stage of my life.

Before and After Staircase Makeover atthepicketfence.com

I think it had a happy ending, don’t you?

1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7BSharing this here:

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73 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, DIY, Good Ideas Tagged With: decorating, foyers, french country, mirror and plates, staircase makeovers

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Comments

  1. jenny says

    July 11, 2013 at 5:50 AM

    Stunning! I love your beautiful accessories. You have such a good eye for placement! Shared cause this rocks!

    Reply
  2. Judy says

    July 11, 2013 at 5:52 AM

    The new carpet looks great. I would have never thought that you didn’t have to wrap the edges, but I love it. It’s tough to make flooring decisions when one room leads into another. Looks beautiful – enjoy!

    Reply
  3. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    July 11, 2013 at 6:03 AM

    It looks fabulous. I love it. I am in the same situation, trying to justify hardwood, when replacing carpet would save a few dollars and work great, plus like you, I do like the look and feel of carpet. Your home is stunning. That staircase is gorgeous. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth@ Blue Clear Sky says

    July 11, 2013 at 6:10 AM

    You are a wise woman to really think this through and make the decisions that are right for your family and home. Your entry and stairs look great! The new plates are pretty and that is a lovely area you have arranged. I really like how the staircase hand rail ties in with your new hardwood in the upstairs hallway and the white spindles and stringer tie in with the other trim. It must feel good to have such a fresh look and to have nice flow in the flooring throughout your home. I am inspired and keeping this in mind as we tackle our stairs, both to the second floor and the basement, and our upper hallway in the next year or two.

    Reply
  5. Marty Walden says

    July 11, 2013 at 6:12 AM

    You have nothing to be ashamed of! Just because you are a DIYer doesn’t mean you have to do everything! With our recent bathroom gut my husband did most of it but the plumbing needed to be done right so we paid a plumber for a lot of it! You do whatcha gotta do! Your redo looks fabulous!

    Reply
  6. Mary says

    July 11, 2013 at 6:20 AM

    What a gorgeous and very big beautiful foyer! Great choices!

    Reply
  7. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    July 11, 2013 at 6:20 AM

    Looks amazing, Vanessa! And so glad y’all are happy with it — that’s the most important thing. 🙂
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  8. Jordan@the2seasons says

    July 11, 2013 at 6:26 AM

    Wow I love it. So fresh and inviting. What a great first impression when you come in your foyer.

    Reply
  9. Michele/Finch Rest says

    July 11, 2013 at 6:50 AM

    Well done- and I’ll tell ya why: in my very humble opinion those who have wooden stairs cannot even believe how LOUD they are. Clunk clunk clunk up clunk clunk clunk down over and over – nice if you are an empty nester – but with children?

    You did the right thing, trust me.

    Looks great and is nice and QUIET!

    Reply
  10. Rochelle says

    July 11, 2013 at 6:59 AM

    I built a brand new house and put carpet on my stairs too! Don’t mean to sound like a need but safety of my family is so important! Could you post a pic of how you ended the carpet at the top if the stairs where the hardwoods start? That was a question I struggled with at the time so we continued our carpet in the upstairs hall.

    Reply
  11. Rachel says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:01 AM

    I love it. Hardwood floors on stairs look beautiful, but I’m with you, slips and falls aren’t worth the risk.

    Reply
  12. Debra@CommonGround says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:03 AM

    It’s all absolutely beautiful. Love the desk, mirror and plates, too! I agree, stairs can be so dangerous, just having the risers open on the side and the new light color makes a world of difference. great choice!!

    Reply
  13. Lori @Vintage Charm Restored says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:23 AM

    I love the carpet choice. I too have a stairway that I am debating and saving up for… And I tell you we have walked a lot of stairs that don’t have carpet and where they are pretty- they are so slippery and dangerous for little feet!! So I applaud your carpet!! It’s pretty too!! Those plates and the mirror though- are my favorite!!! So soft and beautiful!!

    Reply
  14. Suzi says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:46 AM

    WOOOOOOOW!!!!!! (that’s a long, loud wow) delicious! love the yummy color scheme and freshness, openess. i don’t have stairs in our ranch but if i did i’d do this. past experience was the wood is ALWAYS dusty and floating around. there will be enough little bunnies floating down from the wood landing and hall, trust me 😉 safer and quiter will live longer than trending and diy.

    Reply
  15. Sally says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:48 AM

    Ummmmm. GORGEOUS. Perfect! And you’re right. Ultimately, you have to do what works for your family and your budget.

    Reply
  16. Jill Flory says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:50 AM

    Vanessa, that is an amazing makeover!! I love how light and open the entry looks now!
    We were planning to recarpet our stairs – the only place in our home that I planned to put carpet back. The only reason we didn’t is because the old stair treads were old oak and my hubby pulled them all out and refinished them and put them back. Otherwise, I would have carpet on them – the same looking carpet you have!!

    Reply
  17. Anita says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:52 AM

    Oh Vanessa, what a great transformation!! Love the new carpet, and no one will slip and fall like on wood. The whole entry is just gorgeous…so grand! Now my budget is telling me I have to live with the ugliest laminate countertops ever unless I come up with something creative and free…and that has my brain working!

    Reply
  18. Pamela says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:53 AM

    Vanessa it looks beautiful! Brightens the entire foyer up. Good choice! The carpet on our stairs is still mocking me 4 years later though ours is not green and we can easily go with wood stairs since we do not have to take our stair case apart to do it so a DIY project that we may or may not do by the end of the year. I pull up a tiny corner from time to time but have not yet made the jump. Anyways, Loving yours girl!

    Reply
  19. Debbie says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:59 AM

    Yay!!! If big sister walks outside, she will probably hear me cheering from four hours away. Seriously, I have the same problem with my stairs. Oh sure, they aren’t green, but they are worn and need replacing, but one project will lead to another and well… you know what I mean. We even have a whole piece of carpet in the attic large enough to recarpet them, but I am just not excited about that old, wrapped look. I love what you did and can’t wait to show the husband.

    (But I WILL wait. You don’t start showing what you want to do next within a week of a three hour road trip in the rain to get chairs, if you know what I mean.)

    Love the entire look of it, right down to the gorgeous hitchcock chair.

    (Which, btw if I ever see being approached with a paintbrush, will cause a stroke. You don’t want to cause a stroke, now do you?)

    Reply
  20. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    July 11, 2013 at 8:21 AM

    Vanessa it looks fantastic!!! What an amazing improvement! We had hardwood on our stairs at our old house and we would have had to add a runner if we hadn’t moved. So slippery! Great job – definitely be proud!!
    xoxo

    Reply
  21. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    July 11, 2013 at 8:34 AM

    It all looks great, Vanessa! I love how light and bright it is! You gotta do what’s right for you. I like your carpet. While we had put wood floors in our condo last Summer {replacing carpet throughout}, I still like the warmth that carpet adds to a home. I wound up putting area rugs down in a couple of the rooms, so I still get that warmth I love, and my husband gets to see the wood floors he worked so hard to install!

    Reply
  22. MDR says

    July 11, 2013 at 8:42 AM

    What you’ve done with the stairs, etc. is even prettier in person. Congratulations on good choices!

    Mom

    Reply
  23. classic•casual•home says

    July 11, 2013 at 9:33 AM

    The plates look so pretty around the mirror!

    Reply
  24. Angela says

    July 11, 2013 at 9:35 AM

    Great choices! It’s so light and bright!!! Well done!~~Angela

    Reply
  25. Cristina@remodelandolacasa says

    July 11, 2013 at 9:45 AM

    I love it. So light and bright! Great decision not wrapping around the edges 😉

    Reply
  26. American National Sprinkler says

    July 11, 2013 at 9:53 AM

    I loved the plates and mirror idea!

    Lawn Irrigation Installation

    Reply
  27. Susan @ My Place to Yours says

    July 11, 2013 at 10:22 AM

    You SHOULD be holding your head high, Vanessa! The “new” stairs look fantastic, and not wrapping the carpet around the edge was the perfect choice. It gives the stairs a much more up-to-date and aesthetically pleasing face. Nicely done! 🙂

    Reply
  28. Martina says

    July 11, 2013 at 10:36 AM

    Vanessa the new carpet looks fabulous and I love the table, mirror and plates… so pretty!!
    Love your slate floor too:)

    Reply
  29. Denise says

    July 11, 2013 at 10:53 AM

    Wow! What a difference! Good for you, you did fantastic! (Did I use up my exclamation allowance yet?) And I am SO copying the blue & white bowl with the green ball whatchamacallit! I have all the ingredients! Whoops, those exclamation points just kinda slipped in there. My bad.

    Reply
  30. Daniela @frugal ain't cheap says

    July 11, 2013 at 11:18 AM

    It looks wonderful! much lighter and open.

    Reply
  31. Richella @ Imparting Grace says

    July 11, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    Definitely a happy ending! IF you remain in this house, you may want to do hardwoods on the stairs some day. . . but then again, you might just find that carpet is great as long as it’s pretty carpet! The whole area looks so nice now. I wish I could come enter your house through that lovely foyer! 🙂 (Okay, does that sound creepy? Didn’t mean to sound creepy. You can come to my house first!)

    Reply
  32. Thistle says

    July 11, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    Love, love, love the new foyer! Totally! What a great idea to open everything up….it looks so much fresher!

    Happy day to you sweet friend!
    karianne

    Reply
  33. Traci says

    July 11, 2013 at 1:09 PM

    It looks great!! It’s all about what YOU like! People think I’m crazy because I like having carpet in our bedrooms. Sorry, but I just like putting my feet on something soft when I get out of bed!!

    Reply
  34. Becca says

    July 11, 2013 at 1:42 PM

    Yes, that IS all that matters, V! I LOVE the new carpet … it opens and brightens up your beautiful foyer. And, the new plates are perfect … love that you hung them around your pretty mirror … all makes for such a gorgeous vignette! A+++++++++

    Reply
  35. Karen Schulz says

    July 11, 2013 at 2:30 PM

    I love it. I also love the just putting a flat table and changing the mirror etc makes the whole area look so much more open

    Reply
  36. Suzy @ Worthing Court says

    July 11, 2013 at 2:54 PM

    It looks great, Vanessa. I think you made just the right decision! We’re facing the same dilemma at our house and I don’t look forward to the expense.

    Reply
  37. Cindy says

    July 11, 2013 at 3:56 PM

    WOW, so very pretty! GREAT decision, love how you chose not to cover the edge of the stairs, so light and bright!
    I so understand about “this leading to that” we’re planning a kitchen remodel and I’m going crazy with floor plans, etc…
    Hope you’ll add Amaze Me Monday to your party list, would sure love to see ya’ll there!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply
  38. Angelina-JoJo and Eloise says

    July 11, 2013 at 5:30 PM

    Oh this is so LOVELY!!! And I Love how you emphasized doing what works for you and your family. It really looks so much more Airy and Light. BEAUTIFUL!!!!
    xoxo

    Reply
  39. jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says

    July 11, 2013 at 5:48 PM

    Holy smokes it looks amazing! What a grand stunning entrance. Nicely done 🙂

    Reply
  40. Sherry says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:28 PM

    Beautiful, Vanessa! The carpet looks wonderful and I love the plates and mirror.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  41. Judy Clark says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:36 PM

    Vanessa – Your entry and stairway look fabulous! And more importantly, it’s what suitable for your family. I’m not one to do whatever others are doing but being practical – you know what I mean. We have a big dog and we have to consider her with almost anything we do. I have grandchildren and while I expect them to behave, I don’t want them to feel like they are in a museum when they visit. (No way that’s ever going to happen at my house – LOL).

    Good for you going for what you wanted in your home.

    Judy

    Reply
  42. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:46 PM

    So beautiful Vanessa…I love the new fresh and inviting look that you created in the foyer and staircase…It definitely says welcome!!

    Reply
  43. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:52 PM

    What a warm and very pretty impression your entryway makes. LOVE the new light carpet and the airy look of the mirror and plates!!! YOu home is beautiful!!!!

    Reply
  44. Courtney says

    July 11, 2013 at 7:55 PM

    Gorgeous ~ gorgeous Vanessa! Your entry is Bea-u-ti-ful 🙂 thanks for linking it up at FNF!! xo

    Reply
  45. Kathy says

    July 11, 2013 at 8:20 PM

    Wow,wow, and WOW!!! Beautiful!

    Reply
  46. monica livas says

    July 12, 2013 at 1:00 AM

    WOOW! Looks amazing!

    Reply
  47. Sharon says

    July 12, 2013 at 3:10 AM

    Vanessa, I think the carpet looks great. I love the changes you made in the entry, too. The foyer feels so light and fresh…very welcoming.

    And I love that you made the decision based on your family and y’alls needs. That IS what it’s all about. I’m glad you feel GREAT about it.

    Proud of you!

    Reply
  48. Kelly @ thelilypadcottage says

    July 12, 2013 at 5:44 AM

    This looks SO gorgeous! I love the addition of the plates.

    Reply
  49. Trish @ Uncommon says

    July 12, 2013 at 6:51 AM

    So beautiful! Light and airy… just perfect! Can’t wait to see you at Haven!

    Take care,

    Trish

    Reply
  50. Kim @ Sand & Sisal says

    July 12, 2013 at 11:00 AM

    “It wasn’t getting any less greener….” LOL!!!!!!!! You crack me up! It is beautiful! We all want gorgeous hardwood (I do too) but it is expensive and to be honest… the carpet is actually safer and quieter. I think you made the best choice for your family. Hey, is that wall color SW Ivoire? It looks exactly like what I have in my home!

    Reply
  51. Jennifer @ Celebrating Everyday Life says

    July 12, 2013 at 12:04 PM

    Oh Vanessa! I LOVE how much lighter the space feels!!! What a great job!! The new vignettes are lovely too!! I’m sure you’re enjoying the new space!! 🙂

    Reply
  52. Shannon @Fox Hollow Cottage says

    July 12, 2013 at 1:30 PM

    I do-I do! Oh it looks wonderful Vanessa. Good for you :)))) I bet that new carpet feels great underfoot too. You know, you considered all things and did what was best for your family, etc.. just like you said. At the end of the day, WE love in our homes, no one else. Jim and I have discussed that very thing, carpet our wood for the stairs. So far, we are undecided. And it’s so smart of you to let someone else do things you’re not proficient in. It just makes better sense sometimes. Enjoy the new carpet (and the wood floors too) everything is look beautiful!

    Reply
  53. Kim says

    July 12, 2013 at 6:56 PM

    Wow, I would say that it a very happy ending indeed! It is such a bright, lovely, welcoming space~ Just what a foyer should be!

    Reply
  54. kristin says

    July 13, 2013 at 11:19 AM

    It is gorgeous!!! I love the light carpet so a big change!!!

    Reply
  55. Shelia says

    July 13, 2013 at 6:51 PM

    Oh, my goodness! This is gorgeous. I love the light carpet on your steps and the entry – most gorgeous! Be proud sweetie!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  56. Linda @ Mason Jar Crafts Love says

    July 15, 2013 at 3:18 PM

    Just lovely, Vanessa! You absolutely made the right decision! 100%!!!

    🙂 Linda

    Reply
  57. Cheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG says

    July 16, 2013 at 8:05 AM

    I think you made the right decision – we recently took the carpet off our stairs and installed hardwood, stained dark to match our floors – worst decision ever!! Those stairs are now the bane of my existence!! They show every speck of dust and fuzzy that gets tracked up from the entryway…I am sweeping them at least twice a day…I would much rather have my beige carpeted stairs back – at least they didn’t show the dust!! LOL

    Reply
  58. Pam @ diy Design Fanatic says

    July 16, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    I think your foyer and stairs look great Vanessa. The lighter carpet makes your foyer look so bright and airy. Love the look! We have painted wood on our stairs to the basement and they need constant dusting. Glad our basement stairs are behind a door and not the first thing people see when they come to our door!

    Reply
  59. kathy says

    July 18, 2013 at 1:54 PM

    Oh, I love this! So FRESH and BEAUTIFUL! You did a great job!

    Reply
  60. Stacey says

    July 18, 2013 at 6:13 PM

    Oh my goodness, your entry is beautiful. The light and bright colors and the stairway are just perfect!

    Reply
  61. karen says

    July 23, 2013 at 7:37 PM

    Vanessa, it is so gorgeous, and so welcoming. I am so impressed you put the carpet in yourselves. The whole entry just says “welcome and warm, glad you are here, this house is happy house”.

    Reply
  62. Kathleen Dean says

    August 23, 2013 at 9:06 AM

    I love the color on your walls in the entry – what is it?

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      July 3, 2018 at 7:28 AM

      Did you ever find out the color of yellow in this lovely room? I’d love to know, I’m looking for a color like that and yellow is so tricky. Thanks!

      Reply
  63. Trisha says

    April 12, 2014 at 1:26 PM

    What brand and shade is the yellow paint in your foyer?

    Reply
  64. Tina Blackburn says

    July 11, 2015 at 6:26 PM

    I would love to know the name of the yellow paint you used?

    Reply
  65. Meaghan says

    February 13, 2016 at 7:38 PM

    Would love to know the name of that wall colour. Just the right hint of yellow.

    Reply
  66. Annie says

    September 20, 2016 at 6:17 PM

    Please share the yellow paint color

    Thank you,
    Annie

    Reply
  67. Sabrina Harrison says

    April 27, 2017 at 10:19 AM

    What paint did you use? That is a beautiful, happy yellow!

    Reply
  68. Iona Eden Siemer says

    February 25, 2018 at 4:45 PM

    What color is the yellow on your walls? It’s very pretty.

    Reply
  69. Serena Swartz says

    July 10, 2018 at 8:36 PM

    This is absolutely beautiful! What paint color did you use?

    Reply
  70. Christina says

    August 15, 2019 at 9:36 PM

    What color paint is the entry way?
    Can you provide the details

    -Christina

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Summer in my Home Tour - At The Picket Fence says:
    August 17, 2013 at 2:00 PM

    […] In the summer, my entire foyer is flooded with light and it makes even the simplest of accessories shine brighter. And it couldn’t have been a more perfect time of year to complete my staircase and entry makeover! […]

    Reply
  2. Announcing the Elements of Summer Tour! - Town & Country Living says:
    May 26, 2014 at 7:53 PM

    […] Light and Pretty Entryway from At the Picket Fence […]

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I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 y I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 years now and every year I ohhhh and ahhhh over the blossoms like it's the first time I've ever seen them. I gush and I take photos (that look exactly like the ones I took the year before and the year before that) and I make my family come outside and look at them with me which you know they just LOVE to do. 😉 I think that is one of the main reasons why I love spring so much. On the one hand, it's predictable and yet, on the other hand, it still feels like such a surprise after the long months of barren branches.

And yesterday, as I was staring at the gorgeous blossoms for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but think that I hope this is how I feel when our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.

I hope that the predictable feels special and that the typical feels anything but. I hope that I ohhh and ahhh over the simple things I've realized I've taken for granted. And, most of all, I hope that feeling doesn't go away for a very, very long time! 💗
Are you living with great expectation friends? Bec Are you living with great expectation friends? Because He is risen!

Happy Easter from my home to yours!
Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to be a different kind of Easter for sure but some things don’t change. Have you been baking and getting ready for tomorrow? What’s one thing on your menu that you have to have every year?
If this is Good Friday, why doesn’t it feel so “good”? It all seems backward doesn’t it?

What could be good about the unspeakable pain he suffered? What could be good about the shame and betrayal?

Easter Sunday is so joyful, bright and cheery. Shouldn’t that be the day we call “good”? It just feels so much better!

But, I don’t know how to rejoice over His resurrection, unless I have felt the pain of His death. I have realized that in life the sweetest victories are the ones which were realized after a pain-filled journey.

And, so it is with Good Friday. I know there will be victory over death, but I can’t skip ahead in the story.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what he would experience. And he knew why he would go through it. He did it for me. He did it for you.

Do you know that? Have you felt it down in the very core of your soul? 
Sometimes it makes me squirm a bit. Why would anyone do that for me?

Well, because, I can’t do it for myself!

There is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love and mercy.

That is why it is called GRACE.

His grace is freely given. We don’t have to pay for it. He paid the price for us already.

Do you remember that movie from years ago called “Ransom”? A couple’s young son was kidnapped and the parents went to hell and back trying to find him and pay the “ransom” demanded by the kidnappers.

Well, Jesus is our “ransom”. (1 Timothy 2:6) His life was the payment.

Why is it called “Good Friday”? Because that wasn’t the end of the story….
.
…It was just the beginning!
Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house that’s become the landing zone for ALL THE THINGS! 🙋🏻‍♀️🤪 I’ve never been more thankful for our rarely used dining room table as it’s become command central for school books and laptops and games.

Where are things collecting in your house right now?
“Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every si “Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every single one of these emotions has made their way through our home in recent days and, my guess is, they have in your home too.

I SO needed this reminder today from the new book ‘Adore’ by @sarahagertywrites.

Adoration isn’t just sitting at His feet gazing longingly with stars in my eyes. It’s bringing my fears and my sorrows and gray roots in my hair that desperately needs to be colored and my messy house and all of the things that threaten to send me over the edge right now and laying them down before Him, soaking up His word and His presence so that when I stand back up, I am changed for having spent the time adoring the ONE who is... Healer, comforter, peace-giver, deliverer, redeemer.

What do you need to bring to Him today? I’ll share mine in the comments and I’d love to hear from you too!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

It feels the most...normal. Daytime is strange and foreign right now. My husband has taken over our home office, I’m suddenly taking over the responsibility of managing my kids’ distance learning and let me just say that teaching 7th grade algebra to my daughter is hugely ironic since I struggled with math all the way through school. I’m trying to do my own work but it feels utterly futile with the constant interruptions which take precedence right now. In the daytime, I’m constantly reminded of how upside down life feels.

But, in the evening, I cook dinner like I’ve always done and we gather around the table like we’ve always done and we laugh and tell stories and then clean up and play games or go on a walk or watch a show. And that feels SO gloriously normal.

So now I love evenings even more than I ever did before and I’m so grateful for this little chunk of time where the rhythms we established years ago are helping to sustain us now when so much of life feels outside of our control.

What feels ‘normal’ to you right now? Whatever it is, keep doing it. 🌿
When I was in college I would frequently call home When I was in college I would frequently call home and pour my heart out to my mom, sharing with her all that was happening in my life in that completely unfiltered way that you can talk with the person who potty trained you. These phone calls usually took place at night and my mom would patiently listen as I vented frustrations about professors, roommates, boyfriends and the food in the cafeteria. And, inevitably, they would end with my mom saying, “Everything seems worse when you’re tired. Try not to overthink things or make any major decisions tonight, especially when you are feeling emotional.” Dear friends, may I pass along this advice to you today?

If you don’t absolutely HAVE to make a decision right now, I want to encourage you to wait until life gets back to normal. If you are finding yourself over-analyzing relationships and family dynamics, I want to encourage you to remember that everything seems more dramatic when looked at under a microscope. And, let’s face it, being homebound with our loved ones non-stop makes us all feel like lab rats in an experiment.

If you are tempted to quit a job, start a business, start homeschooling permanently, stop homeschooling permanently, move to a new city, buy a farm, quit pursuing your dream, join a commune or make any other major life decision just…wait. Because, if it is in fact the right decision, it will be made even clearer once our lives return to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’. Instead, in this strange season, let’s all just take a deep, collective breath and let it out slowly, releasing the anxiety that threatens to overtake us. Let’s help each other maintain some perspective and not slip into a posture of over-thinking every little thing in our lives. Let’s remember that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to use this time when things feel dark to manipulate us into thinking that aspects of our lives are worse than they actually are.

My prayer for you in these days is that you will have the clarity to know what is true and that you will be filled with peace even while we live in this season of so many unknowns.
Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking thes Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking these days! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m trying to avoid gaining the #corona15 but my daughter and I LOVE baking together and it does help to pass the time plus it counts as a science lesson right?

If you’re able to find flour in the stores (for the love people please stop overbuying!) and you’re doing more baking at your house too you need to add this apricot bread to your list of new recipes to try!

Normally I’d point you to my blog for the directions but I’m going to do you a solid and leave the full recipe in the comments.

What have you baked so far during this time of social distancing? I’d love some new ideas!
There are a LOT of people out walking in our neigh There are a LOT of people out walking in our neighborhood right now (but still social distancing!) and she decided that she wanted to bring them some joy and put a smile on their face when they pass by our house. Also, the square with ‘say no to coronavirus’ is priceless. 😂 I just love her so much!
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