There is just something about New Orleans, "The City that Care Forgot", that touches my core and strikes every creative and artistic note in my being. Is it the 186 year old trolley or the Mighty Mississippi?
The music wafting through the streets?
Perhaps the potpourri of fabulous architecture or the recorded history of this vital port city dating back to the 1600’s?
Or maybe…just maybe it is the beignets at Café du Monde or a ‘muffaletta’ at the Central Grocery?
How about Jackson Square or Royal Street?
I don’t know the answer and I can’t explain it. However what I do know is that we are created to find that ‘place’. That place that draws, tugs, and pulls from our inner most being. That tug to create, design, imagine, build, paint, write…
Lindsey, Sammy, Sadie, and I had the distinct and satisfying pleasure of spending 6 hours, yes JUST 6 hours in New Orleans last month. We strolled the quarter and ate beignets. We marveled at the iron lace and ducked into the chandelier shops on Royal. Time stood still for us that day as we soaked up the things we love and that inspire us. Please take time to discover your “place”. After all… “We are created in the likeness of the Master of Creativeness". Genesis 1:26 ~Jeannie
If I have the choice between living my life and writing about it…I’ll live it.
Our choice to combine households (The Walton Lifestyle) began out of necessity 1½ years ago. As our lives settled back down we realized what a blessing this lifestyle is and chose to continue with it. That required a larger, more accommodating home so early this year we went house hunting. Once we found a house we all agreed upon, then came the arduous task of merging lock, stock and barrel. As is the case with many thing, it was a much larger undertaking than thought. Hence-- 6 months later, several gallons of paint, copious amounts of elbow grease, AND 6 weeks of out -of -town guests we feel almost normal again…rather our ‘new normal’.
One of the most unexpected blessings of “Walton” living is that it allows Lindsey and I to exemplify the immeasurable joy and quiet beauty of a mother/daughter bond. God has given us much opportunity to model our lifestyle in action and to our delight and His glory we have been able to inspire and encourage other adult mother/daughter relationships. The blend of personalities makes each relationship unique in its challenges but so worth the effort.
So as I sit in the quiet of the morning pondering how to fully express myself, a pink sheet of paper slides from my notebook with the simple but powerful words ~ I LOVE YOU~ from my 5yr old grand-daughter “Lady Sadie”.
Ladies and dear friends, seize the moments and nourish your mother, your daughter, your sister, your niece, your friend. Each woman in your life if a gift!
