Be Home

The Laws of Simplicity

I have had my eye on this book for some time. Last week when Andrew was out of town I took the boys over for an evening run to Barnes and Noble. It was finally my chance to grab it. 

It's a very simple read. Maybe that was intentional. Simplicity on any term is a subject matter that I gravitate toward but this had a bit of a different slant. While I might browse the subjects of homemaking and education, this was focused on business. 

There are listed ten laws of simplicity. It is basically one man's observation on how design is utilized in our current culture. Using everything from ipods to google maps the author breaks down what appeals to us and why.

For myself, this book has been a point of interest to several areas of life. I do appreciate good design and am anxious to look for how I can utilize these "laws" in the not so business related fields of everyday living. It's also fascinating self-reflection on why certain magazines, home interiors, handmade crafts, blogs, even atmospheres, etc. I tend to find extremely inspiring while others, not so much. 

I would recommend this quick read to anyone who thinks about design in any shape or form. And beyond that a few observation could even bring a dose of good perspective on the design of life in general.

IKEA 2009

It's here! My yearly IKEA catalog. It's a staple for those of us who live outside the residence of greater US cities who's individuals have the privilege of waltzing through its doors at will. Even as I drool over particular items of interest, why O why must I be tormented with it's little icon of a shopping cart with an backslash over it - no shipping?! 

Come on IKEA, ever notice that you have a strange hole of non-existent presence in say, the middle of the entire country?! 

Yes, I long for rows and rows of cheap, designer, stylish stuff! Till then my catalog must keep me company (and my local Tar'get). 

John Greenleaf Whittier

"The Meeting" 

And so I find it well to come

For deeper rest to this still room,

For here the habit of the soul

Feels less the outer world's control;

The strength of mutual purpose pleads

More earnestly our common needs;

And from the silence multiplied 

By these still forms on every side

The world that time and sense has known

Falls off and leaves us, God, alone.

ode to spring

Last week a very dear friend dropped by to say hello along with a cheerful bouquet of flowers in hand. The bouquet was so bright and colorful that they reminded me that spring will soon arrive. But amongst these beautiful flowers one Gerber daisy stood out from the rest. Therefore one morning I plucked it from the rest and gave it a place of honor. It is truly amazing how one bit of nature's bounty can bring new mercies into each day.

So what's reminding you that spring will come?

nature's God

Lately I have been enthralled with one of my favorite blogs SouleMama. I really can't put my finger on what is so very intriguing about her or her family. And believe me when I say that my mind has been putting in over time trying to figure out just that. 

There is a certain sense in me that some of the things that I love dearest are dedicated to the wrong camp. Let me explain. For example, I really could be a very good fanatic about food. Organic food. Whole food. Farmer's Market food. My own garden food. But it seems that that field is totally saturated with a liberal mindset of an almost outcast departure to anything based in Christianity. All things priding themselves of "natural" origin seem to be thus. From food to toys. Creativity to birthing.

I find a great wrestle within me. How can I be so very inspired down to the core of myself by people whom I have such deep seeded convictions that run contrary? Wrestle. Wrestle. Wrestle.

The beauty of Christianity is the very essence of why I love it so... it is founded upon a real person's love for me. Jesus loves me. It's not a phrase just for kindergartners. I rely on Him whispering these same words over and over to my spirit. But love allows for mistakes because it's really not based on my striving to a law.

I say all that to say, in love we get it wrong sometimes. We miss the camp we really should have embraced instead of ignored. But truth is still truth, fit for all areas of real life. And what connects me to inspiration is the same connection that is in all humanity. Whether we are in the world or of it we are still bonded by our humanity. Made like the Creator. Some of Christian culture has ostracized the thoughts of nature and its cultivation and a entirely different camp took up the slack. Moreover, most are under the belief that nature in and of itself is the beauty worth preserving. I say, O how much more amazing and inspiring to love nature under the umbrella of nature's God.

I love Jesus. The man. God. The One. Whoever inspires me, nature still flourishes in my heart because it was created out of love for me - the earth.

a touch of wall art

Andrew and I had a chance to go out on a date night last night, with many thanks to Miss Elizabeth. We had a wonderfully romantic time of dining and conversation at Pei Wei. Followed by browsing around Dean & Deluca along with many other young couples I observed. We found ourselves chatting with the salesman at the new Leawood Mac Store. Then of course we made our way to the only place that if you aren't in for bar hopping is open after 9 - Barnes & Noble. To which having a few extra frivolous spending money left from my birthday I came home with two new books. (Ignoring the fact that I just started 3 other ones last week, O well)

One of those books was called The Family at Home. And today it proved to be worth its means. Through its inspiration I added art to our walls. Not anything of spectacular presence. But something of OUR presence. Nicholas' drawings were hung as a piece of wall art above his bed. To which a room was transformed in to "his space". When Nicholas was younger, much younger, 2 maybe, I bought alphabet cards to put up in his room. Today George was all excited to receive them up0on his walls as a token of art. Both rooms instantly felt much more cosy. But better than that they felt like the children that inhabit them. In other words - The Family at Home.