Homemade | Makers' Almanac From: Susie | Fall/Winter 2022

INTENT

family great

note

Hey, girl, Hey! I am so excited to celebrate this year’s Fall and Winter edition of HomeMade magazine, and the arrival of our Makers’ Décor Box with you.

Please join me in welcoming new makers, contributors and helpers in this massive effort to usher in the last half of 2022 with ‘intention.' Intention is defined as an aim or a plan. You’ve probably heard the adage that you miss one hundred percent of the shots that you don’t take in life, but have you pondered the idea that you will make many more of those shots if you actually take aim?

On the following pages, you’ll read about my heart, making the most out of every opportunity I have with my children. As you open your box, you’ll find a beautifully made (in Texas) bread board that you can use to serve the pumpkin bread created from the recipe by my best friend Amy @cutertudor. You’ll hear from my good friend Wendy on her quest to find peace in her home, and you can snuggle up to read my sister’s article about her journey in finding delight amidst life’s disappointments. All of our words are designed to encourage you forward in the coming months.

What I am most excited for you to hear is the story of Lena Schlabach. Lena is owner of Farmhouse Frocks with deep roots in the Amish community. In this issue of intention, it seems only fitting to shine a light on the Amish as they show us how to lead a simple life of faith with strong values of family and community.

If you purchased a Décor Box, you will receive a handmade linen apron sewn by these precious and fierce women in Millersburg, Ohio. Each apron is prayed over while the tags are stitched for the recipient, that’s you! As you open your box, you’ll find a beautifully made in Texas bread board that you can use to serve the must try pumpkin bread made from the recipe by my friend Amy @cutertudor. Plus, so much more!

It brings me much joy to highlight these makers and artists and their crafts. Thank you, as always, for shopping small business and supporting local made goods.

May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-25

susie robb brinck

HOME MADE

EDITOR IN CHIEF, Susie Robb Brinck

Creative Director, Ashley Slater

Photography by Cortney Dani Photography

Online Content Creator + Writer, Amy Williams

Design Project Manager, Raegen Hain

Contributors:

Reverend Victoria Robb Powers

Lena Schlabach

Celine Matteoni

Wendy Trigsted

Special Thanks to...

Beki & Brandon Grabow

Bill & Tami Lintner

JMG Remodeling, LLC

Robert Brinck

Shopfromsusie.com has a heart for the American Maker. Our goal is to create a collaborative effort that supports local businesses and provides our customers with quality goods for their home.

Whether domestically, or a world away, you will find goods here that are responsibly and ethically made. We pride ourselves on sourcing the unique, utilitizing superior materials and promoting the talented home artisan.

Meet Lena Shlabach of Farmhouse Frocks!

As a talented and inclusive fashion designer, Lena supports her local community of Amish, female makers, commissioning them to sew beautiful frocks for women of ALL sizes.

Read her inspiring story on page 68.

by melissa reddick in davidson, north carolina

real touch garland

Susie Select

oval dish

History Clayworks

INTENTFUL

REAL TOUCH GARLAND

Sourced in Atlanta

Each Décor Box has included a touch of greenery in every offering. Susie believes that florals are an essential part of décor and one of the easiest ways to add a seasonal touch to your home. This Real Touch Garland was hand selected by her while her sourcing products for the shop in Atlanta, Georgia. This realisticlooking pine cedar is virtually perfect and when you realize it's artificial, you'll have to take a second look! The perfect way to bring low maintenance greenery into the home, this marvelous evergreen looks amazing in an entryway, hallway, family room, over the fireplace mantle or hung on the stair railing. Keep it for years to come and enjoy it each season.

Material: Plastic Dimensions: 6'8" length x 8" width x 4" depth

Care: Store in a cool, dry place.

Sourced by Susie Robb Brinck, "From: Susie"

In 2018, Susie bought a small shop, Curtis Creation and rebranded it in 2019 to From: Susie. With no formal experience, she built a retail brand of curated goods and designs for the home, all while raising her two children as a single mom. Now exclusively online, Shopfromsusie.com is committed to supporting the artists, makers and being “loyally local.” Susie has expanded the brand to include a turnkey interior design firm, a non-profit design foundation, a podcast and a magazine.

Website: Susierobb.com

Instagram: @fromsusie

Made by Melissa Reddick, Davidson, North Carolina

Melissa Reddick is a ceramic artist and the owner of Modern History Clay Works Studio in Davidson, North Carolina. Her first memories of working with clay date back to the early 1970s when she shaped her first tiny pot as a preschooler in Knoxville, Tennessee. Melissa knew from those early days that she was forever in love with creating from this material and has been an artist ever since. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art specializing in Ceramics and later, a Museum Education degree with a focus on Ceramics in graduate school. For years, as she raised her 3 children, Reddick worked part time as a potter and private art teacher, offering wheel technique classes to students from her home studio. As the demand for her own work increased, she founded her own business, Modern History Clay Works, to sale her collections and custom pieces to boutiques, museum shops, galleries, and private individuals across the country. Her work has been featured in Garden and Gun, Travel Girl, and Haven magazines.

Website: Modernhistoryclayworks.com

Instagram @modernhistoryclayworks

FOOTED OVAL DISH

Modern History

Clayworks

Created by hand with high-fire stoneware clay and finished with our favorite food-safe Low Country White glaze, the special edition From: Susie Footed Oval Dish will find no shortage of uses in your home. In the dining room, this piece perfectly presents small appetizers, nuts, or bruschetta. In the kitchen or bathroom, it serves as a soap dish, standing proudly by the sink to gracefully hold your favorite soap. On the bedroom dresser, use it as that special resting place for your favorite jewelry. Finally, entryways will gladly welcome a designated, yet stylish spot to collect keys and other small articles.

Materials: White stoneware clay High gloss, food safe glaze (Low Country White)

Dimensions: 9” length x 6” width x 2” height

Care: Dishwasher safe.

RUSTIC RISER

Patience & Grace Co.

+ Dusty Flannel Woodworking

Kiln dried, pine rounds are fixed to a hand turned 3.5 inch base. The Rustic Riser is a versatile piece that can be used to hold decor, candles, or soaps and lotion near the sink.

Materials: Pine Dimensions: Approximately 9” diameter x 4” height

Care: Clean with a damp cloth.

Made by John + Patience Thompson, Huntsville, Alabama

Meet John and Patience Thompson, the owners of Patience & Grace Co. John is a military veteran of twenty years; Patience is a stay at home mom of three beautiful children. Patience and Grace Co started with a dream, one that was many years in the making. After John's military retirement, they settled in Huntsville, Alabama and began to pursue their dreams of entrepreneurship. Patience has always had a love for home decor and antiques, while John has a passion for woodworking. With the combination of their talents, Patience & Grace Co was born. Their online shop offers a curated collection of handmade goods, antiques, and home decor.

Website: www.patiencengrace.com Instagram: @Patience.n.grace; @Dustyflannelworking

Made by Alicia Prause, Gainesville, Virginia

Alicia is the owner of The Blessed Peach, home of the ‘Stay Put Towel.’ A Virginia native, she enjoys traveling, crafting, scrapbooking, spending time with family and friends, and her fur babies. She loves to decorate, especially for each holiday and season. What began as a frustration, soon became a business! “I did not like that my towels kept falling off my stove or dishwasher handle. In my search for towels that would stay put and not fall, I could not find towels that looked classy and fit my decor theme as well. So, I decided to make kitchen and bath towels that stay put. Hence, The Blessed Peach - Home of the Stay Put Towel (TM) was started!” she says.

Simply hold the towel with the front facing you, then grab each corner with snaps in your hands. Next, take the top two corners and lay them over your towel bar, and pull the side with the snaps down some. Take each corner with the snaps and bring them to the front. Finally, snap the towel together and adjust to your liking. If you would like to watch a video on how to display your towel with different folds, please visit her Etsy Shop: The Blessed Peach. Under the "about" section, you will find a video that provides step by step instructions.

*Fabric is imported, snaps and assembly finished in the USA.

Website: etsy.com/shop/TheBlessedPeach

Instagram: @theblessedpeach

STAY PUT TOWEL SET

The Blessed Peach

These towels are one hundred percent high quality cotton flour sack towels which feature black ticking stripes down the middle. Each set has black snaps that allow the towel to be wrapped around a towel bar, and oven or dishwasher handle when snapped in the front which allows the towels to stay put where you hang them. In addition, each towel includes a hanging loop, so you can style the towels differently if you choose.

Material: 100% Cotton

Dimensions: 26” length x 16” width

Care:

Wash on delicate cycle; hang dry.

GRANDMA'S BREAD BOARD

8fd Designs

Made of alder wood and stained in our signature color, Grandma’s bread board is cut, sanded and stained right here in Texas. It’s the perfect size for displaying your baked goods or favorite cookies. So, you can enjoy using the board to serve food or add a warm wood tone to your kitchen décor.

Material: 100% Alder; Food Safe stain

Dimensions: 14” length x 9” width

Care:

Wash by hand with soap and water. Oil as needed.

Made by Ben McCall, Decatur, Texas

Ben McCall began his work as a craftsman at the young age of ten years old helping his father and others build homes. After college, he worked as a general contractor which evolved into McCall’s own shutter company in the 1990’s. His constant curiosity is reflected in the ever-expanding scope of what is now 8fD Designs. McCall has taught himself to weld, screen print and work with digital art. 8fD Designs is constantly adding resources to create new product categories for their clients of designers, architects, TV personalities and other large retailers.

Website: 8fddesigns.com

Instagram: @8fd

SEASONAL NAPKIN RINGS

Patience & Grace Co.

Handmade napkin rings are created with dried oranges and cinnamon sticks. The hemp twine and wooden bead accents add a special seasonal touch to your dining table. Combine with the Spring 2021 Décor Box Linen Frayed Napkins to style the most elegant holiday tablescape.

Materials:

Dried Orange, Cinnamon Sticks, Wood Beads, Twine

Dimensions: 3” Ring

Care: Store in a cool, dry place.

LEATHER DRAWER PULLS

Daylin Skye

Add elegance to your home with these sleek yet durable black leather drawer pulls. Made of top grain leather with a full smooth finish to give a low scratch quality, they are designed to last. Each set comes with coordinating hardware in a deep black color and has the option of being used as a single loop pull or a handle pull. These pulls will add a touch of luxury to any room's decor.

Material: 100% Leather

Dimensions: 6 3/4” length x 1” width

Care: Wipe with damp cloth.

Made by Amber Fant, Vista, California

Amber's designs are inspired by a passion for individuality, exceptional craftsmanship and clean lines. She is self-taught and launched her first bag collection from her home studio in 2012. After years of honing her craft with a variety of fabrics, today, she works solely with premium leathers and choice hardware. Amber believes that handbags should be as refined on the inside as they are on the outside and creates bags customized to fit her clients’ needs.

Website: daylinskye.com

Instagram: @daylinskye

Designed by Lena Schlabach +

Made by Amish Women, Millersburg, Ohio

Lena Schlabach is the founder and creator of Farmhouse Frocks. Born and raised in the Amish faith in Holmes County, Ohio, her longing for dresses to be embellished and made special began at any early age. As she grew older, she struggled to find clothing that was stylish and complemented her figure as a plus sized woman. Therefore, in 2014, after years of wearing ill-fitting department store clothing, she decided to start her own company. What began with one Amish seamstress helping bring her fashion visions to life, soon turned into a team of seven seamstresses sewing in her basement. Today, Farmhouse Frocks employs a team of thirty-five Amish seamstresses and has a successful brick and mortar store with an online store that ships worldwide.

Website: Farmhousefrocks.com

Instagram: @farmhousefrocks

NO TIE APRON

Farmhouse Frocks

Farmhouse Frocks has created their very own No Tie Apron just for you! Made from a quality linen that will last and soften with age, this gorgeous apron easily slips over the head and features a large front pocket with frill lace trim in a flattering neutral tone. It is perfect wear for the kitchen to keep yourself mess free while looking and feeling fabulous. Designed with a generous size and a charming length, these aprons are as functional as they are pretty! Please know that each seamstress has prayed for the woman that will wear the frock when they sew in the label. In doing this, it is Lena’s hope that each person that is clothed in Farmhouse Frocks feels empowered and beautiful when they read the label.

Material: 100% Linen Dimensions: One size fits most: 38”

Care:

Wash in cold water and hang to dry.

Small Shop Spotlight

wooden acorns

by rustic occasions

These handmade acorns are the perfect touch for fall. Amy and her husband Wayne build their products from reclaimed Barnwood in Northern California. follow here on Instagram!

"Chasing Delight", A Sermon by Victoria Robb Powers

reminders that this opportunity was meant for me. In some ways I’ve spent the last decade preparing for this opportunity. It felt so obvious that my life’s path was leading me to this moment and place and that the last ten years of my ministry were all in preparation for this When I discovered that the opportunity was gone and the future that I imagined for myself would not be, I had tremendous grief. I went from disbelief to anger, confusion to despair, and then traveled these emotional

I am not sure why or how things worked out the way that they did. I’m not far enough out of it to look back and see the divine thread. All I know is that this loss has hit me hard, and that’s (that it is) important that I give myself the permission to feel this disappointment. Grief is a process that can’t be controlled. Any attempt to thwart it, hide it, or run from it, is futile at best and dangerous at worst.

Grief will always show up eventually, and the longer that you try to keep it at bay, the more likely it will show up in uglier forms like resentment,

bitterness, anger, and hatred.

So, I have decided to welcome all the feelings associated with this loss, trusting that maybe there’s an offering in it for me somewhere. And while I won’t run from this disappointment, I will also do what I can to remember that life, while not easy, is still good.

I’ve been exploring a new form of spiritual discipline: chasing delight. It was introduced to me this last spring by author and faith leader, Shauna Niequist. At first, I couldn’t see how chasing delight was a form of spiritual discipline. I’m all for having a good time, but pleasure is mere play, not discipline. It also seemed like a form of escapism – “I don’t want to feel bad, so I’ll chase something that will make me feel good.”

In May of this past year, I was in New York City with a free evening all to myself. I decided to try this spiritual discipline technique, and intentionally and purposefully chase delight. I made reservations at an Israeli restaurant in the heart of Chelsea called “Shukette”. I love food, and I love middle Eastern cuisine. From what I had heard, it was one of the best spots in the neighborhood. Sure enough, it turned out to be one of the best meals of my life.

Following dinner, I went to see “Hadestown” on Broadway. I love theatre, music, any kind of performance, really. I bought my ticket in advance and showed up early to treat myself to a crisp glass of Chardonnay, something I rarely, if ever, do. The show was phenomenal. I cried from beginning to end and was overwhelmed at the sheer talent of humanity.

When the show ended, I decided to walk to my hotel

instead of hailing a cab. It was a spring evening, in the heart of the city I love most, and I wanted to enjoy the city streets with all their lights and kinetic energy.

I got back to my hotel with a full heart. The food, the performance, the lovely stroll - it was all a reminder of how beautiful life is and how much there is to enjoy in this world. One of my favorite authors has coined the term “brutiful” as a description for life. Life is ever and always, both, brutal and beautiful.

It turns out chasing delight is not a form of escapism from our pain and despair. It is, instead, a reminder that the worst realities in life are not the only realities in life, and that reminder takes discipline.

As I travel this road of grief and continue to feel the disappointment of having lost an opportunity I so desperately longed for, I am also making space to chase delight. I am treating myself to the foods and company that I love. I am making the hot tea to go along with a warm bath and my favorite movie. I’m deciding to work from a beloved bookstore instead of my office. I’m waking up early to walk the dog and taking the time to make my most loved homemade latte. I’m even planning a return trip to return to New York City where chasing delight is impossible to avoid.

All of this is not to elude my pain, but to remember, as I travel the road of grief, that life is still good and there is so much to enjoy. The spiritual discipline of chasing delight is reminding me that while there’s pain, there is still beauty.

Thanks be to God.

See the full, hopefilled reveal for my seamstress Sarah Coble in our Spring Issue of HomeMade!

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

“I’ve seen it in my own life and in the lives of others who have been touched by hardship. Often times the home which was once a source of great joy, becomes a place of deep heart ache. Whether the spaces are too painful to keep up or the home has become a financial burden too great to bare, the refuge of home has become a prison. When we can honor the past and breathe fresh air into the present, we can give people hope for the future.”

The 626 Foundation is a non-profit interior design firm that offers no-cost design services to families affected by life’s unexpected tragedies; including but not limited to divorce, miscarriage, widowhood, and illness.

Learn more at 626foundation.org

When Fall marks its debut and the weather cools, hearty meals and baked goods become prevalent in our home. This simple recipe is our family favorite. While pumpkins can be used to make a variety of sweet or savory dishes from pies to soups, nothing tastes more like ‘home for the holidays’ than warm pumpkin bread served with whipped butter. The best part is that you can modify the recipe by adding local dried fruits like cranberries, nuts like pecans and walnuts, or even chocolate chips to the mix. Lastly, a fresh baked loaf becomes a scrumptious addition to any meal or a thoughtful gift for family and friends.

seeds

syrup

vanilla

pumpkin spice

cup unsalted butter

seed crust

preheat whisk mix

preheat oven to 350°f. lightly grease 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with baking spray whisk eggs in a medium bowl in a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients

stir in pumpkin, oil and vanilla then, add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until well blended

in a small bowl, toss 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds with agave syrup for top pour batter into loaf pan, then pour

topping on top and bake for 1 hour

while bread is baking, mix vanilla, pumpkin spice + butter into stand mixer until smooth. scoop butter into an air tight container before serving.

toss pour scoop

HEAL ING HOLY

I was raised on a summer diet of popsicles, Kool-Aid, and boxed macaroni and cheese.

However, my parents didn’t allow sugary cereals every morning, so those mornings just turned into not eating anything. Although my parents tried their best to feed us well, my understanding of food was limited, almost nonexistent. Most of my adolescence was spent in a roller coaster of not eating enough or eating too much of the wrong thing.

Fast forward to my first pregnancy, and I seldom slept. The sugar that I consumed every day coated my esophagus and burned throughout the night. More throat issues forced me to lie down in the middle of workdays due to discomfort. Postpartum recovery was even worse.

At the time, I was breastfeeding, extremely malnourished, and depressed. I dropped down to ninetynine pounds. If I had any energy to eat, it was prepackaged snack foods like mini donuts. I needed at least three thousand calories to maintain a healthy weight, but I was skimming close to just five hundred a day.

Celine Matteoni is a mother, wife, and a Black Hawk pilot in the Army Reserves. She is from Arizona and now resides in Fort Bragg, NC.

of the barrel’ despair to pull me close to Him. The Holy Spirit entered my life in January 2020, and I am forever changed. Jesus transformed the darkness inside me into light. I now had hope to keep living but the depression still lingered.

During the midst of my depression, the Holy Spirit began leading me to make small changes to my diet. Eventually I was consuming pasture raised eggs, grass fed beef, raw milk, and liver. I was amazed as my gut started to heal, and my brain began to function better. My emotional outbursts and ‘doom and gloom’ moods slowly decreased. It was impossible not to connect the dots. What I was putting in my body had a direct connection to how

God is so intelligent with His design for creation. He is the one who designed our human flesh to honor and glorify Him. We are created in His own image and by that very design, we bear the seal of our royalty. This means we ought to steward our bodies and treat them as the temples which the Holy Spirit inhabits. He desires our bodies to work efficiently and

optimally. When they do, our relationships, energy, sleep and attitudes are in balance and order. The baseline for productivity is a body that works well.

Today I look towards food to both heal and grow me. I discovered that finding a local farmer who grows organic food is key to my process. If you’re interested, I would recommend beginning the journey of healing the body and mind through prayer. Simply ask God for a heart that is dedicated to finding the truth, even if it is uncomfortable or contradictory to any previously held beliefs. Secondly, pray for the deep desire to heal. Sometimes, we are not ready to heal and that prevents us from implementing this journey. God will reveal the truth to us when we wholeheartedly desire and seek His transformation.

My prayer is that you begin to walk with the Lord in this area and find the freedom and joy that comes from honoring the temple you’ve been born into. God bless you.

"God is so intelligent with His design for creation. He is the one who designed our human flesh to honor and glorify Him. We are created in His own image and by that very design, we bear the seal of our royalty."

Even if you don’t feel like it or know where to begin. Start with one verse. God’s word has the power to transform our bodies by strengthening our minds.

Grab a Coconut Water

Coconut water is very hydrating and high in potassium. If you don’t like the taste, just add it to a drink you do, like orange juice.

Start the Morning with Protein

Begin the morning by eating protein. Hard boiled eggs are easy and can be made beforehand.

Take 1 Tablespoon of Sauerkraut a Day

Take a tablespoon of sauerkraut a day. Sauerkraut aids in digestion, is great for the gut, and rich in probiotics.

Drink Bone Broth

Drink bone broth. If I’m unable to make my own, I recommend Bonafide Provisions Chicken Broth.

Read the Bible one two three four five

FEEL your

BEST

HEALING WELL

TIPS LIVE

to +

a simple, delicious recipe by of Cuter Tudoramy williams

boards charcuterie

Your Guide to Creating a Savory & Seasonal Board

Incorporate something sweet, sour, salty, sharp, and spicy.

Add a new or locally grown food that you haven’t tried before.

Include seasonal foods that you can only find during that time of year.

Use a variety of color or texture to make it appealing to your eyes and taste buds.

Consider nuts, fresh or dried fruits, raw or pickled vegetables, cured meats, crackers, cheese and dips.

Shape Your Own Charcuterie

nuts

candied pecans, spiced nuts, pumpkin seeds, chocolate almonds

fresh fruit dried fruit

apples, red pears, grapes pomegranates

raisins, apricots, cranberries, figs, persimmons

sweet potato chips, dried okra

raw/dried veggies

olives, pickled squash, peppers

salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, smoked salmon

assorted soft, hard or blue

pickled veggies crackers dips

harvest crackers, cranberry crisps, baguettes

cured meat cheese

artichoke dip, pumpkin bread, local honey, fig jam

journeya toward peace

By Wendy Trigsted

As a mother, organizer and woman of god, Wendy Trigsted has spent years in pursuit of what it means to live well in tranquility. Through work and effort, she has established a home where everyone contributes to keep the enviroment happy, fun and stressfree.

We're sharing her story and her exclusive system for easy + tidy living.

journeyThe

As the doorbell rings and I prepare to open my home to guests, the last thing on my mind is the desire for someone to remark on the look of my home. My goal is not to hear one’s opinion of tall ceilings, paint color, or wood moldings. It isn’t even to receive accolades about my sofa pillows. I know, GASP!

I do appreciate a good aesthetic; don’t let me fool you, but the ultimate compliment as one enters our abode is the mention of how it makes them feel. When words like cozy, intentional and peaceful ring through the air it makes my heart sing.

I have been on a journey with all things home. It started at a very young age when my parents subscribed to the local Tribune. I would wait for the home section to publish each Wednesday. My little fingers would turn to the page with the house plans and description of that week’s feature home. In my mind, I would walk the floor plan and decorate it as I imagined the family who might live there. One day, maybe, I would live there with my own family. It was really all I ever wanted.

dreamWorking for the

Fast forward many years, the little girl has grown up, married a wonderful man and together they have filled a loving home full of children. I had a real problem though. The dream was a lot of work and along with it came a lot of stuff. I had grown weary of trying to keep up with decor trends. I felt like I was always decorating and constantly asking the open-ended question of, “What is my style?” I also wondered why no one ever really told me all the things that accumulated with all the kids. I was a home manager who was not naturally organized. Any spare time that I had, I seemed to be cleaning out another closet to the chagrin of one of my children. Or, we would all work together to tidy up the house, only to do it again the next weekend.

I no longer wanted to clean the house up for a short-lived moment because guests were arriving. I wanted a long term solution. I needed working systems, and I desired peace in my heart and home. I began to seek it out and make some changes. I took to home organizing books and a new social media platform called Instagram. I followed accounts with the up and coming theme of organization. I learned very simple, yet impactful skills such as taking everything out of a space, purging items that did not bring me a feeling of joy and storing like items with like items.

What started happening was mind blowing. One drawer led to a closet and that closet led to a room, and very soon there was a snowball effect of peace in my home.

The most surprising benefit of all was the space in my heart that was now free. The peace in my home left me with an opening to better pour into the precious people that God gave me. I began living with them instead of just managing them. I began to have more time to sit with the Lord and hear what He was teaching me because I finally could slow down and be still.

Friends, it doesn’t take a super deep dive to recognize that much of our world is upside down. It is full of confusion, hurt and the buzz word “busy” seems to be the response many folks give when asked about the state of their life. We’ve never had more opportunities; we’ve never had more instant information at our fingertips, yet we’ve never been farther apart. We are a people craving peace, and it’s a peace that starts in our heart and trickles into our homes.

A Cascade of

I love the scripture in 1 Samuel that talks about how God looks at us in a way very different from people. In fact, God pays no mind to the outward appearance. He looks at our hearts. It is time to shift our focus back to the basics, to a simpler time where our homes are a sacred place.

Let us not focus on how we can design and decorate our home to achieve a certain standard or trendy look, but let us focus our hearts. Let’s strip it all down to the bare bones, consider the items that we own and only keep what brings us joy.

You might be thinking, “But I really like home decor!” And that is wonderful, because so do I! Just be a mindful consumer asking yourself the important questions such as, “Am I buying this item to fill a void or will this item serve our home and family bringing me joy?”

I absolutely love beautiful things and I think my favorite combination for the home is items that are both pretty and practical. I cannot tell you enough about the peace I have gained from my journey with stuff. I share because if this little unorganized, home-loving girl can figure it out, then so can you! I am here to encourage you every step of the way! You can find me over on Instagram at ��The Peaceful Homestead� where I spend a little time each day sharing my tips and tricks. Above all, seek the Lord and He will be your help!

I leave you with these words from Philippians 4:6, “In every situation with prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” May peace abide in your heart and home.

Love, Wendy

organizational system

Everyone has an assigned day, post a schedule. Everyone has a dirty clothes basket in their room or bathroom. Everyone’s laundry is done to completion on their day. Everyone helps!

Start Your Day With

prayer & gratitude

The minute my eyes open, I take a moment to pray.

I thank God for a new day, for my family and ask that He would use my life this day.

Life Changing Making the

My goal is before my feet hit the floor and what a difference this makes in my heart as I tackle each day!

Wendy's Peaceful laundry bed

I take the time to make my bed each morning.

It is starting out the day accomplishing one task even if nothing else productive takes place. I also have paired down the amount of fuss and pillows on my bed that are purely decorative.

Try replacing many small pillows with one large scale lumbar!

It’s still beautiful, yet easier to make. Think you don’t have time to make your bed? I timed myself this morning and it took just over three minutes. Seems like a pretty great use of three minutes.

Is every single under-the-sink-cabinet in your home brimming with toiletries and cleaning supplies, but somehow you can never find the toilet bowl cleaner?

Follow these steps:

1) Purchase a washable cleaning caddy with a handle. 2)Remove everything from underneath every sink in your home. 3) Fill the caddy with everything you need to clean your home. (Ideas include, rags, all purpose spray, toilet brush, toilet cleaner, misc. brushes.) 4) Store cleaning caddy and any extra supplies in a central area. (garage or laundry room) Enjoy all the new real estate under each sink!

caddy scale

One Cleaning the Home

Larger, but less items displayed in the home brings a feeling of peace and intention versus lots of small items that can feel like clutter. Clutter in the home equals clutter in your heart.

Let’s Talk about CollectionsCollections are not a bad thing at all, but don’t keep them if you aren’t willing to display or use them. A boxed up collection living in storage is serving no one. Perhaps it’s time to part ways. Do you love your collection? I have cake plates and bread boards on display. Display them together for an impactful presentation.

Follow Wendy on Instagram @thepeacefulhomestead for more organizational home tips and spiritual inspiration

soap handmade

Clean & Natural Ingredients

A few years ago, I began pouring my own candles, and learned that the process was much easier and more affordable than I had imagined. It gave me the confidence to make scented bath bombs and later, bar soaps. Not only are handmade processes satisfying and a bit nostalgic but allow one to take control of the ingredients that go into each product. Therefore, household products made with simple, natural and as few ingredients as possible tend to be safer and cleaner.

A bar of soap is simply a mixture of an animal or plant oil and an alkali, which is the lye, joined with water. When these are combined with heat, a chemical reaction called saponification neutralizes the lye. The two primary ways to make soap are cold and hot process. The cold process uses self-generated heat that occurs when lye is added to water and mixed with the oil. It takes much longer to cure, so the soap needs four to six weeks to harden before use. However, with hot process, an external heat source causes the soap to saponify before being poured into the mold. By selecting this technique, handmade soap is ready to use within a day or two.

Blend Your Own Scent

This basic bar soap recipe is great for beginners to learn the hot process. However, feel free to get fancy with botanical additives, water alternatives like goats’ milk or different types of oils once you gain an understanding of the process. For this recipe, the color comes from mica which is optional to use, as well as any essential oils which provide the scent. Specifically, this recipe calls for a combination of orange to create the sweet, citrusy aroma and cedarwood oil which is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

Set out tools, measure ingredients, set the slow cooker to low and put on safety gear. Use the glass bowl and kitchen scale to measure both oils separately as needed. Then, add the coconut oil to the slow cooker. Stir as needed.

In the separate bowl, slowly add the lye into the distilled water (never vice versa) and stir the mixture with a spatula. Set aside to cool for about 20 minutes. Once the coconut oil is completely melted in the slow cooker, stir in the olive oil.

Add Lye Blend Cover & Slow CookCheck the Temp

Slowly slide the immersion blender into the slow cooker and turn on the low setting. Stir the mixture in a circular motion for 10-15 minutes and keep the tip of the blender arm submerged to prevent air bubbles from forming. The soap will reach trace when the solution has fully combined, thickens and looks like pudding.

Use the candy thermometer to check the temperature of the oils. When the oils reach 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit, gently pour in the lye mixture without splashing the liquid.

Cover the slow cooker for about 40-50 minutes. Keep an eye on it and stir if any bubbles arise.

Remove & CutAdd the Oils

Turn off the slow cooker. When the mixture drops below 180 degrees Fahrenheit, this is the time to add any essential oil or colorants. Stir in either, well.

Pour into Molds

Immediately pour the mixture into the silicon soap mold using a spatula to scoop and spread evenly. Work quickly before it cools. Tap the side of the mold to remove any air bubbles. Let sit for 24 hours.

Carefully remove the block of soap from the rectangular mold. Use a soap cutting tool to cut into bars. If you used individual soap molds, simply pop out. The soap is ready to use but fully hardens within two days.

An Interview by Susie Robb Brinck

I’LL NEVER FORGET THE FIRST TIME THAT I MET LENA SCHLABACH. WHILE VISITING ROUND TOP, TEXAS ON A BUYING TRIP FOR THE SHOP, I SPOTTED HER HAVING HER PICTURE TAKEN ACROSS A GRASSY FIELD OF LONGHORN CATTLE. I WAS IMMEDIATELY IMPRESSED AND THEN, QUITE HONESTLY INTIMIDATED. LENA’S SALT AND PEPPER HAIR IS CUT IN THE HIPPEST PIXIE CUT THAT YOU’VE EVER SEEN. SHE WEARS BOLD, OVERSIZED SUNGLASSES THAT HAVE BECOME HER SIGNATURE LOOK; SHE DRESSES TO THE NINES IN WHAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS A STYLE ALL HER OWN.

I took it all in and smiled. I had only known Lena from afar. I remembered when she had created a line of frocks with Liz Marie Galvan at the helm and recalled the story of her gumption to hand deliver her own product directly to Joanna Gaines’ office. I had watched her Instagram following grow to over 100,000 and witnessed her consistency as she showed up on social media every morning to greet her fans as “queens,” which she still does by the way. She owns the brick and mortar of my dreams… an old, two-story brick building painted black and white located on a quaint, downtown street. The most impressive to me is that she supports her roots and local community in Amish Country and effortlessly combines it all under the brand Farmhouse Frocks.

Lena Schlabachowner + founder

simply american made

Ok, Lena, let’s start at the beginning. Tell us a little bit about your upbringing.

I’m originally from Millersburg, Ohio. I was born and raised in Amish Country until I was 18 at which time I left. I’m one of four children to my mom and dad and have a great relationship with my family to this day. Very early on, I knew that Amish life was not for me. At night, I would pray and ask God not to let me fall in love and marry an Amish boy! I did get married and was married for twenty eight years and have three beautiful children to show for it.

I feel like I could ask 1,000 questions about what it was like growing up Amish!

Yes, you could. And I did share a lot about it on my blog. There are stories of my childhood, my family, recipes, my marriage, and what it was like leaving the lifestyle. I even include some FAQs! (farmhousefrocks.com/blog)

Ok, we will save those questions then! I want to know how you started Farmhouse Frocks.

I started Farmhouse Frocks nine years ago. Really, it was out of the effort to find clothes for plus size women. When I was growing up, I wanted to be like the fancy English ladies that I saw pass through town. I would ask my mom to sew my clothes with ruffles and puff sleeves so that I could stand out! But it wasn’t until I was in my 40’s trying to find clothing for an all-white party, that I decided to start designing clothes myself. I had bought

white linen tablecloths and sheets and hired a seamstress to make me an outfit for the party. And I just ran with it! That led to me commissioning seven Amish seamstresses and an operating basement studio for my designs. We took my Frocks in a 12-foot Amish hauler van to the annual Country Living Fair in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a huge success, so I opened an Etsy shop. Our online presence through Etsy and Instagram became really strong, but there was still a need for women to have a place to try on some of the clothing. A year later, we opened the brick-andmortar shop and now, support over thirty seamstresses!

You’re such an inspiration to me as a business owner, but how did you handle COVID-19?

I’m very proud of the impact that Farmhouse Frocks has had on my community and the provision for the Amish community, specifically. During the pandemic, we made 100,000 masks and raised over $400,000 for the local community. Every day, I just kept showing up on Instagram. I want to encourage women to be comfortable in their own skin right where they are, so I just kept delivering my message.

What does a day is the life of a queen look like?

I live for slow mornings. I get up and meditate or listen to music, and I LOVE a good frothy coffee. Then, I head to the studio about twenty minutes away and make notes of things to do for the team. I do all the buying for the accessories and textiles, and work on the designs and

simply american made

proofs with my sister, our lead seamstress. I try to stay 100% visionary and oh, I don’t read emails!

You don’t read emails?! Teach me your ways!!!

Ok, here’s my advice to small business owners: When you’re getting started, choose a clean name and logo that you are proud of, and get on Instagram every day. Make that your goal to adjust to changes and don’t ever complain about how hard it is. Frustrations can always be traced back to not having a system in place, so find those areas and fix them. You need to hire emotionally safe humans. Don’t get married to your ideas. If it’s not making money, it’s a hobby. If you’re trying to start a business, and it doesn’t make you money, get rid of it. In the past, we’ve tried things that didn’t work for us like a kids’ clothing line and bedding. But if it doesn’t work, move on. Also, you MUST protect your time and your energy. You are the leader, so you carry the mood in every challenge at work. Pour good energy in, guard yourself, and exercise boundaries so as not to be sucked dry by negativity.

Please tell me that you offer business coaching.

Yes! That’s what’s next for me. I feel like I have a wealth of knowledge to

offer to women through coaching and mentoring. I love linking arms with people and look forward to sharing my home in Florida as a future retreat center for others to heal and connect.

IN STYLE

Inside her shop and studio, Lena models her beautiful, handmade Frocks and curated accessories

FAITH OVER FEAR

I always make decisions in faith not fear. It’s black and white.

If you have no fear, you can do anything. So, by removing that fear, your decisions are easy.

SO MANY WOMEN ARE STUCK IN TRAUMA AND WANT TO HIDE THEIR BODIES. THEREFORE, WE MAKE FROCKS A LITTLE LONGER TO FLATTER ALL SIZES OF WOMEN. IN FACT, THERE IS NO OTHER BRAND THAT OFFERS THE SPAN OF XS-XXXL LIKE WE DO. OUR FROCKS ARE ROOMY AND GENEROUS; THEY FLOW SO THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY PULLING ON YOUR CLOTHING. I FEEL LIKE GOD HAS GIVEN THIS SMALL, AMISH GIRL WITH NO VOICE, A PLATFORM TO SPEAK CONFIDENCE, LIFE AND POSITIVITY TO WOMEN! I’M SO HUMBLED BY IT ALL. SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BROADENED MY WHOLE WORLD. I LOVE CONNECTING WITH WOMEN AND CAN’T BELIEVE THAT I’VE HAD THIS KIND OF POSITIVE IMPACT. WE HAVE VISITORS TRAVEL FROM ALL OVER, FROM CALIFORNIA TO CANADA, AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HUGGING MY QUEENS.

A DREAM COME TO LIFE

Lena reveling in her stunning storefront in Millersburg, Ohio. These days she splits her time between the store and her beach home in Casey Key, Florida.

FINDING HER WHALE

I believe so much in connecting because you have to find your “whales”. Whales are the key people in your life that lift you up. Jayme was my whale. She passed away from cancer a year ago, but I have lots of other friends, like Candy and Cheryl who believe in me and speak life into me. We just sit around and talk about all of our dreams and goals and encourage each other and affirm each other. So, find your whales and be a source of positivity and light for someone. Oh, you can also let our readers know that I’m hoping to travel more, finish my book, and find my dream man.

I’m certain you will find him! I doubt that you’ve ever made a stranger!

Ha-ha, I haven’t! You mentioned my sunglasses. These are my business card. Everywhere I go, people comment on my glasses. I usually carry ten to fifteen pairs with me in my bag and never miss an opportunity to talk to someone about my business! Once, I traveled to Venice and threw myself a birthday party where I invited fifty people that I had just met along my journey overseas. Thirty-five of them showed up! So you’re right, I’ve never met a stranger! Connecting with people and connecting people to people is my passion and my purpose.

BEDROOM, 3 BATH COSTAL RIAD IN CASEY KEY, FL

Lena's

COPPELL

Breathing Fresh Air Into a Piece of Elegant, Handmade History

I’m always a bit jealous when commissioned to remodel bathrooms for my clients. All four of my bathrooms at home need updating, but as the saying goes, “the cobbler’s children have no shoes.” So when the Lintners of Coppell, Texas approached me to update both of their bathrooms, well, that just added insult to injury. However, after swallowing my envy, I jumped on board.

With just two bathrooms in the house, we were only able to update one at a time to allow the other to remain usable. While this makes for a longer remodeling period, it prevents the clients from temporarily moving out of their home. To begin the remodel in the primary bathroom, we set the following goal: to create a large, walk-in shower and maximize the space to avoid the room feeling cramped.

All renovations are proudly constructed by Jose de Paz and his team at JMG Remodeling

Let’s examine a design term that I often hear in home remodeling projects, a ‘furr down.’ A furr down is a dropped ceiling or wall that does not touch the floor, commonly found over cabinetry. These are often used to house duct work, electrical or plumbing. If your kitchen cabinets don’t touch the ceiling, but the ceiling drops down and touches your cabinets, congratulations, you have a furr down! If the air conditioning duct work runs through the furr down, the

ducts must be relocated and therefore, are not always easily removable. It can become costly, but worth it.

A low ceiling is a sure-fire way to feel cramped in an already small space. Both bathrooms in this home included a dropped ceiling which does just that, drops the ceiling height. Therefore, both bathrooms needed the furr down removed.

Insets are a great opportunity to add fine materials. Carrera Marble adds a luxe feel to the shower.

palette: cool blues, grays, whites

Once you maximize the ceiling above, look at the floor below. If you have a closet or lavatory in your bathroom, I recommend that you continue with the same flooring throughout the bathroom. This will create continuity. Anytime there is a transition to different styles of flooring, a line is visually drawn. Think about women’s clothing for a second. What do capri pants do? Make the legs look shorter. What do nude pumps do? Make the legs look longer. These same rules apply to flooring. If you want your space to look taller, longer, larger, make certain elements continuous.

At the request of our homeowners, we took down the wall that divided the lavatory from the rest of the bathroom. While this took away an element of privacy, it made the room feel larger. This worked best for them, so we delivered as requested!

Another request was to keep the stainedglass window where it was located. Because this window had sentimental value as an acquisition from their wedding trip, we reframed it in the wall and used it in the room’s color scheme.

The large garden tub was removed, and a shower was installed in its place. The shower’s original location became much needed real estate to enlarge the bathroom. The entry door was relocated into this space, as well.

We installed double vanities with a linen tower to divide his and her countertop space. Then, painted the whole unit in Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray. We maintained the gray color scheme in the floor tiles and plumbing hardware. This set the perfect neutral background to make our seaside colored tiles and stained glass in the shower really pop.

the lintner project primary bath mood: airy & clean

Create walk-in

Pottery

fresh start

The secondary bathroom became a fan favorite on social media due to the blue and white wallpaper used behind the vanity. Please note that a well-ventilated bathroom is a must for wallpaper. However, my favorite part of this design was the large, seeded glass pendants that I hung as the vanity lighting. A great way to update any space is to update the lighting; nowadays, you can find many affordable options online.

This bathroom is a great example of a time when you can’t completely remove a furr down. Above the shower, we went as far up as we structurally could until we had to stop. This resulted in many additional inches of

ceiling height and in my opinion, an optical illusion where you probably don’t notice the drop. A frameless sliding shower door makes this space much more waterproof than a shower curtain which was a must with the homeowner’s grandkids. By removing the door to the lavatory, we again open the space tremendously.

We used a gray color palette in this room, as well and added more recessed lighting to brighten it up. Some of the same shapes and colors were repeated to coordinate both the bathrooms in the house, but we played with different accent colors.

the lintner project secondary bath mood: fresh & geometric

palette: navy blue, grays, whites

By Susie Robb Brinck

One of the last podcast episodes that Robert and I recordered on "Turn it Over" was titled Summer of Intention. During it, we laid out our plans to approach the summer with purpose with our children.

As divorced persons, Robert and I don’t get to spend every day with our kids. It’s one of our lives’ greatest hardships, and if you know me well enough, it’s probably my greatest source of pain. I could lament for hours about how hard it is for me as a mom, but, in my opinion, that pales in comparison to the difficulty it puts on the kids. I can’t imagine being a small child and having to be split between your parents, or to only have one parent, or far worse, to not have parents at all.

I was afforded the luxury of a 2-parent home growing up, so it’s hard for me to fathom. However, Robert is well aware of that pain having been raised solely by his mother. All that being said, there’s a gratitude and awareness we have when our kids are home that makes intentionality absolutely an apparent necessity. So we set out to make this summer count. What we found at the end, were the following take aways that I plan on implementing all year long. This isn’t just a list on how to have a great summer, this is a list to come back to time and time again, month after month.

Get Outside

Robert is very good about encouraging us all to get outside. I’m always reluctant to swim because you know that moms don’t want to get their hair wet! But nevertheless, he convinces me, and I hardly ever regret it. We have all become very fond of our time spent in the pool.

So right off the bat, Robert hosted an ‘end of school year’ pool party. He’s done this every year that I’ve known him. Of course, it was a hit! Imagine a dozen children swimming, a Goldendoodle pup, and a massive inflatable slide. Throw in some hot dogs and Capri Suns and that’s our kind of party.

We know how good the sun is for our endorphins, so even just a walk to the park or bike ride together can give the whole family a dose of good ol’ Vitamin D.

Turn Off Electronics

The heat really starts beating down on us in June and July. With temperatures in the 100’s and no rain, we all start to slowly spend more and more time inside and that comes with the awful temptation called technology. Our relationship with iPads is a love-hate relationship.

We all know how easy it is to turn on the television or hand over the tablets to keep the kids entertained for a few hours. There’s no real harm until you realize they’ve been on it all day! I tell my kids that I can see their brains have turned to jello when their eyes have glossed over and their irritability is through the roof. At that point, it’s easy to feel like a failure as a parent, so Robert and I implemented intentional times when tablets and phones aren’t around. I’ve been known to forget

“accidently” to bring the iPads on a family trip or to charge them overnight.

Are my children annoying on a road trip without their iPads? Absolutely, yes! But they are far better behaved, more creative and overall content. So, we didn’t bring those electronics on some of our trips to the lake. (Yes, we took them on the 14-hour drive to Colorado! I’m not that crazy!)

Mealtime Together

If you follow me on Instagram, then you know that I’m always cooking. Always. Feeding a family of seven and keeping them full is no joke! So, I’ve come to learn that the children can help cook and clean with me. This has been especially enjoyable for Sarah and me. I want her to be confident in the kitchen and know some of these recipes that I learned from my grandmother. Now it’s been messy and we’ve both been burned! But it’s memorable and it’s a skill that she can carry with her forever! Even if you have sons, teach them a recipe that they love to eat. Make it together every time so that they’ll remember how to do it and recall the fondness of making it with you! Plus, studies show that if children help make their own food, they are more likely to eat it. So, if you have picky eaters like me, it’s a great way to open their minds to try new foods!

However, it doesn’t end there. After the dinner is prepared and the food is served, sit down together as a family, and bless the meal. Robert is better at this than me. However, if we are intentional about it, we can make sure it happens. And there’s nothing sweeter than listening to little children pray! You may have to be the one who starts things off, but let them try and encourage them always, never judge.

We have almost bitten our tongues off listening to a prayer that went on and on and on about soccer, but we know not to interrupt, but to let them get comfortable talking to their Maker.

Family Sabbaths

Robert believes that family vacations are some of the most lasting memories for kids. At first, I didn’t agree. I don’t think you have to take trips to create a happy childhood. However, that wasn’t his intention at all. He reminded me how much the kids love it when I’m not working and how designated time spent together means the most! So, it’s not that you must go somewhere, it’s that you should have time together that is set apart or kept holy for your family.

We had the absolute privilege to take a trip to Silverthorne, Colorado with the whole family for our “family sabbath”. If you followed along on Instagram, you may have seen us hiking, horseback riding, playing tennis, attending concerts, and playing board games. It was absolutely wonderful. Be sure you take extended time away from your work and your cell phones to

spend time with your children.

Consider camping in the backyard or packing a picnic to enjoy at a local pond (bring the fishing poles!). If you can make a weekend out of it, they’ll never forget that time you spent together as a family but take pictures just in case you need to remind them!

Stay Active

I have one kid who likes to work out with me more than the others. He’ll pick up a set of dumbbells and talk my ear off when I’m lifting weights. I have another who always wants to walk with me and yet another who wants me to swing on the monkey bars at the park. However, I honestly don’t like working out, but I know it’s so good for my body and my mental health. The benefits are also true for our children.

Sometimes I’ll let the kids pick out songs that we can listen to while we move our bodies, though I’m not too fond of their tastes in music. On lazy weekends, we will let them come to the tennis courts with Robert and me. If they don’t want to play, that’s okay but we insist they be the ball boy.

Some kids are naturally more active than others so don’t be disheartened if your child doesn’t want to do activities that involve working up a sweat. However, if you try different approaches, make it a game, or a contest, you can get them moving and endorphins flowing. We all feel so much better after we work out!

spend time with your to

Time with Jesus

By far the most rewarding exercise was our “Summer of Scriptures”. I wanted the kids to get more of the word of God outside Sunday mornings. As moms, it’s so easy to write ourselves off as incompetent teachers, but that’s a lie from the pit of hell. We are the best and most qualified teachers for our children, and I mean that about their education and their walk with God. Don’t let the enemy trick you into staying silent because ‘you don’t read your Bible enough’ or you believe that you’ll sound like a hypocrite. Rebuke those thoughts and try what we did.

Each week, I found a short verse in the Bible that I wanted us to read together; Google works, too, if you need ideas on which scripture to pick. On Mondays, we would write down the verse and talk about what it meant to us. On Tuesdays, we would write down the verse on a rock and decorate it. Then we would go for a walk and leave it somewhere it could be found by a stranger. On Wednesdays, we wrote it on cards and stuck them in the mail. On Thursdays, we wrote each word on a piece of paper and shuffled them all up. Whoever could put the verse back together the fastest won a prize! On Fridays, we talked about the scripture one more time and reflected on its meaning.

The following week we would take that first day to recount the previous memorized verses. There is something profoundly powerful about teaching your children the word of God. They remember it and they hide it in their heart. My eyes are filling up with tears just thinking about it.

What I didn’t expect was for the summer to go by so fast. Even the kids commented on how quick it went and before we knew it, we were scrambling to get ready for school this year. But like I said, what I learned this summer by practicing intentionality will go with me moving forward. We are still eating together and saying our prayers, we are still learning scriptures and taking breaks from electronics.

Don’t lose heart, mama, it’s a marathon and not a sprint. Some days, weeks and months will be better than others. The point is that you try. Those attempts, however small or infrequent, are moments of intention that can be built upon. God speed.

“The Shepherd laughed too. “I love doing preposterous things,” he replied. “Why, I don’t know anything more exhilarating and delightful than turning weakness into strength, and fear into faith, and that which has been marred into perfection. If there is one thing more than mother which I should enjoy doing at this moment it is turning a jellyfish into a mountain goat. That is my special work,” he added with the light of a great joy in his face. “Transforming things —to take Much-Afraid, for instance, and to transform her into—“ He broke off and then went on laughingly. “Well, we shall see later on what she finds herself transformed into.”

Hannah Hurnard, Hindsfeet on High Places

Some content taken from Hindsfeet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard Copyright © 1955. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

All renovations are proudly constructed by

team

and

The best compliment that I can receive from my interior design clients is a referral but tied for that is when they ask me to return for more projects! This is the case with my client, the Grabows, in Plano, Texas. What began as a guest bathroom remodel has now resulted in over four renovated spaces with two more projects currently underway.

MODERN

RENOVATION

Plano, Texas

A Modern Renovation

THE GUEST BATHROOM: FROM DRAB TO FAB

Even though the primary bathroom needed a face lift the most, we began our work in the guest quarters. The Grabows had an outdated guest bathroom with a mirrored sliding glass door, dropped ceilings, shades of greige paint and solid beige surface countertops. A smorgasbord of dark and dated finishes created a drab space where our homeowners envisioned bright, open, and sophisticated with whites, navy blues and marble.

If you don’t know where to start to update a bathroom, begin by selecting a color scheme. Early on, we leaned towards white ceramics, gray marbling, and gold fixtures. However, it was the color ‘Tempe Star’ by Sherwin Williams that quickly stole the show! A hip sister of navy, Tempe Star was the perfect backdrop to solid white quartz countertops and gold hardware.

Here’s what we did to not only update the space, but elevate the design:

Installed Wainscoting

Built custom storage and shelving

Raised the vanity height to 36 inches

Installed a double herringbone patterned tile in the shower

Opted for gold fixtures in plumbing and lighting

Added an unexpected pop of color

Plano, Texas

A Modern Renovation

THE LAUNDRY ROOM: DIRTY LAUNDRY DONE CHEAP

The before space of the laundry room comprised of a shotgun floor plan, cheap blue and white linoleum flooring, petite cabinets over the washer and dryer, and one lone broom closet. Mrs. Grabow’s wish list for this room included a swatch of Joanna Gaines’ paint color, Americana Egg and a pipe dream of floor to ceiling custom cabinetry with a touch of vintage. Mr. Grabow simply asked for a designated space for his wine fridge.

Floorplans are key when designing a laundry room or mudroom. It’s important to think about how the space will be used. For example, where will you fold laundry or store cleaning supplies? Anything else that you hope to use the space for? Once you nail down the functionality to fit your needs, design can follow.

Full upper cabinets were installed to maximize storage, but we chose open shelving where we couldn’t do full cabinets. Baskets filled the open shelves and provided additional hidden storage with a nice textural element. Next, the flooring had to be replaced so we opted for Castle Gates Thin Brick Single Flats in a chevron pattern. This added a touch of primitive charm to the laundry room that the homeowner desired. It quickly became my favorite spot in the home.

WAINSCOTING

Did you know? Wainscoting includes any type of decorative paneling that is applied to the lower portion of a wall. This includes the popular board and batten, and beadboard. The difference between the two is that board and batten is a siding that consists of wide boards spaced apart and held in place vertically by narrow strips of wood called battens, while beadboard consists of narrow boards spaced closely together, with a bead-like groove running along the edge of each board.

The solutions to renovate the space included:

Maximized storage with cabinets and open shelving

Remove furrdowns to expand the space

Updated the flooring with brick

Replaced fluorescent lighting with recessed lights

Finishes

THE LIVING ROOM

Perhaps you’ve not heard the term, “Baptist bar” before. It’s what we Southerners call the wet bar that can be closed off or hidden when the preacher comes to visit. I’ve seen these my whole life and honestly, it dates the space. Because it’s usually enclosed glass shelving surrounded by walls of dark paneling. Add some old carpet and a popcorn ceiling to the bar area and you’ve got yourself another dated room at the Grabows.

Here's our list to update this room, while keeping the architectural features:

Closed in the ‘Baptist bar’ to expand into a neighboring kitchen pantry

Wrapped and stained the existing ceiling beams with pine wood

Painted the paneling in Joanna Gaines’ Shiplap

Installed new hardwood floors

Replaced the old window treatments with plantation shutters

Finishes

The living room included wood paneling and a brick fireplace that we aimed to keep in the design plan. Therefore, we painted the paneling to brighten the space. However, I left the brick untouched to maintain some of the home’s original character, plus to contrast the color and texture with the freshly painted walls. Hardwood flooring and plantation shutters are the quintessential elements of a classic home, so that is exactly what we did to renovate this original 1980’s build.

Paint:

Plano, Texas

A Modern Renovation

The simple, yet impactful changes that were made to the dining room include:

Painted the walls and paneling

Updated the light fixture

Installed sconces with remote control bulbs

Updated window treatments

New dining room furnitur

THE DINING ROOM

Amazon for the Win! I used to think that the easiest and most affordable way to update a space is with a can of paint. However, I have since retracted that statement and believe that updating the light fixtures is the most impactful and affordable modification. In the dining room, we selected a designer duplicate light fixture that I found on Amazon for less than one hundred dollars. It completely transformed this space! In addition, we installed wall sconces with remote control bulbs. It’s a great trick when you don’t want to hardwire the light switches.

The final reveal is something out of a showroom catalog. Neutral wood tones, black iron accents, plantation shutters and greenery create an effortless look that beckons the family to gather round the table for a meal together. The wood paneling and walls were refreshed with Joanna Gaines’ Shiplap and Sherwin Williams Snowbound paint colors.

Sources

Paint: Shiplap by Joanna Gaines

Sherwin Williams Snowbound SW7004

Shutters: Budget Blinds

Chandelier: Amazon

Furniture: Pottery Barn

Floors: Floorzz.com

Modern Renovation

TRUE TO CHARACTER

As we round each corner of this home remodeling project, we are watching the very best of its bones come forth. What is lacking or dated or no longer functional has been updated to work for our homeowners. We are staying true to the character of the home while upgrading the form with modern finishes and conveniences.

My contractor Jose dePaz and I are very proud of our working relationship with each other and our clients. We may joke that

Beki & Brandon Grabow are our favorite couple, but they really are! Beki’s trust in my designs and confidence in Jose’s quality of work makes the smoothest remodels to date. We are currently remodeling the primary bathroom and will move into the kitchen afterwards. You can follow along to see more ‘before and after’ home renovations on my Instagram page, @fromsusie. And if you are looking for an interior designer to transform your own home, schedule a local or virtual consultation at Susierobb.com.

As magical as the holidays are, they often times can come with a great deal of stress that threatens to rob the season of all it’s joy. With intention in our hearts, we ought to approach the hustle and bustle with the same discernment that we’ve been practicing in other areas of our lives.

There are a few things I have found that are “worth it”, and quite a bit that I’ve tossed aside as causing too much stress, so here is my wisdom, but please lead with your own convictions.

Christmas Cards.? Worth It.

There have been years when I have sent a family Christmas card, and years when I’ve gone without. Not only am I so touched to receive a card in the mail from family and friends, but I love and cherish my own Christmas card as it captures the ages of my children. Almost like a yearbook photo, I can go back and watch my family change and grow. If you don’t have the funds or the time, consider an electronic Christmas card sent through email.

**Tip. Don’t throw old cards you’ve received away! Cut off any sentiments like “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas” (sans the neighbor’s family photo) and use it for next year’s gift tags.

Perfectly Decorated Home? Not worth it (if you have children at home).

My grandmother’s home is absolute perfection. Her 9+ Christmas trees are expertly adorned and the bedrooms have themes and it’s all so magical! My house is a hodge podge collection of old décor, Grandma’s hand me downs, Christmas décor that didn’t sell from my store, and so forth. Our rooms look like the Griswold’s and not like something out of Pottery Barn catalog. But you know what? My kids absolutely love it. They squeal at the *hideous* inflatable snowman from the $1 store and they love to cuddle up with the mismatched pillows and throws. They could not care less if the stockings on the mantle are made of old socks or $200 designer fabric. Don’t get caught up in trying to make your home look like an Instagram photo. Enjoy the magic of childhood wonder.

Christmas Lights? Worth it, but…

Christmas light installation is dangerous and very expensive, so here is my hack because I do believe that you can achieve the look for less.

What you’ll need: (9) 36-48” H poles of rebar zipties String Lights and extension cords

Using 3 common heights of rebar, stick them in the ground in the shape of a triangle. Tie them together at the top with zipties to create what looks like a tomato cage. Starting at the top, encircle the rebar with string lights. Arrange these in sets of 3 of various heights. At night, it looks like elegant and contemporary Christmas trees and if you install multiple clusters, it’s just as bright as rooftop lights!

Use your best judgement so that nothing steals your holiday spirit. And follow creators like me on Pinterest for lots of budget friendly ideas to make it even easier!

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Baking cookies this holiday season?

Order Stephanie Rackley's Cookbook,

simple sweet things in life

From Registered Dietitian and blogger Stephanie Rackley, Sweet, Simple Things in Life is a compilation of delicious tried-and-true recipes with food triggers in mind. This cookbook contains an Allergy Guide and includes recipes free from gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs, peanuts, and soy. Other recipes have no added sugar, & even a few are low-glycemic ones.

Four years ago, I bought a shop.

Today life is filled with joy, laughter, play, sometimes tears and exhaustion, but always gratitude.

This moment, friend- this is it. This is what we have. So hold tight to it. Hold on to the people, the experiences, the heights and even the lessons.

As you prepare for this holiday season, my prayer for you is that you would hold onto what's truly meaningful. That the important things would become more important than ever, and what's worth letting go would simply fall away.

Here's to living boldly with intention. This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

xo susie