Do You Ever Wonder Why You Blog

There have been times that I have questioned why I love this thing called blogging so much. 

 

Why do I spend a little too much time checking out what everyone is doing in their homes and not doing what I need to do in my own.

 

How could I really be forming friendships with ladies that I have never met in person and some I have never even seen a photograph of.

 

How is it possible that this computer of mine and this little blog could actually be a catalyst in creating a friendship that will forever change mine and my family’s lives.

 

Has blogging really done all that?

 

Well, actually, God has done that through this blog.  He has used my little All Things Home blog to open up doors that would have possibly never been opened.

 

God has brought a Louisiana family into the lives of this Tennessee family and I can readily say that none of us will ever be the same again.

 

Now, would you believe me if I told you that I packed up our two daughters and drove all the way to Louisiana to meet a blogging friend that I had never met but had only talked to on the phone and emailed many times?

 

After much prayer by my hubby and I, that’s exactly what I did, because I knew I was supposed to.  Do you know what I mean?

 

I mean that I knew it was ordained by God that I meet this lady.  I knew that we were kindred spirits and that we were supposed to be friends.

 

Our daughters had already formed friendships over the telephone also so that was easy.

 

We got in our car and we drove.  The girls and I first went to Texas to visit my dad and stepmother and then we went to Louisiana where we stayed for a whole week.  Yep, with strangers.  Crazy, huh?  (Should I do a disclaimer here or something?)

 

But remember, they weren’t really strangers at all because God had already placed them deeply in our hearts.

 

Can I tell you a really crazy thing?  I truly feel like I have met my long lost sister.  We are so very much alike, as are our children and our husbands.  I mean really really alike.

 

This lady is fabulous.  She loves the Lord.  She loves her husband.  She loves her children.  She loves York Peppermint Patties.  She loves Dr. Pepper.  She loves flea markets. She loves white.   She loves my family.

 

Can you tell that we bonded?  We truly did.  Like deep in our hearts bonded.  Like sisters bonded.  Like forever bonded.

 

And so did our families. 

 

Okay..okay…I know you want to see some photos so I am going to show you some right now.

 

 

This is my sweet friend Becky from Buckets Of Burlap and she is my sister from another mother.  Actually, she is my sister in Christ.  This lady  is beautiful on the inside and the outside.

 

I have to show you a couple of shots of our children together, but I am going to save a few photos for another time so I don’t overwhelm you too badly.

 

 

Our two youngest daughters who became instant BFFs.    These girls were precious together and they were inseparable. 

 

 

Our two oldest daughters are both major sporty girls and hit it off wonderfully.  Awesome was the word used a lot to describe what Beth thought of her new friend.

 

And that sweet little guy in the middle playing with them was absolutely adorable.  I mean beyond CUTE!  We fell totally in love with him.

 

 

You cannot even imagine how this guy made us laugh.

 

 

We found out that you can make up cheers about anything and everything.  So fun!!

 

 

 

Here’s all the kiddos except for my son who has been working at a church camp all summer and didn’t get to go.  Next time my guys will go with us.

 

Here is the entire Louisiana family that we now call family…

 

 

I know you have all had enough for tonight so I will share more later.

 

I can’t wait to show you the beautiful shop that Becky took me to in Canton, Texas.   I also have to show you some of the special things that she did for us while we were there.  This lady can cook and is a wonderful hostess.   She also has a beautiful home that was like walking into a magazine.  And, her husband is a majorly talented man with carpentry skills that are amazing.  Together, they are a fantastic team!

 

Will share more later.  Hope you will come back and see more of our amazing trip next time.

 

God bless you all!!

Blog anniversary & our summer holidays so far

Although I was planning to slow down blogging a little these days, I wanted to announce my 2nd blog anniversary today! I can’t believe I am blogging since 2009, July the 31st !!

And I want to thank all of my readers, followers and blog colleagues, for supporting me to go on with my blog and for all the nice comments on my posts!

Without all of you there would be no BELGIAN PEARLS blog at all !

So thank you so much!!  I hope to bring you more of inspiring blogposts in future!

___

As you know already we enjoy our summer holidays these days and I promised myself to spend not that much time on my computer because I really need to relax and to have some quality time with my family. We are not traveling, we hope to enjoy spending some time in our garden and inviting friends and family.

But today I wanted to post some pictures of the things that kept us busy during this first week of our holidays.

Jan’s daughter Nele, her husband Tom and the children Alexa and Tristan joined us for a couple of days. We were looking forward to their visit!

 

The family (and the half of their household!) arriving at our home.

 

A drink on our time together.

 

Alexa was proud to offer Jan the drawing she had made for pappie and mammie (= Jan & me).

 

Alexa & me.

 

Preparing the meal.

 

The weather wasn’t that nice the passed days, but fortunately it wasn’t raining so Tristan and Alexa were able to cycle !

 

 

In the afternoon we went to my mum’s house, where there is a swing in the garden.

Jan and Anthony installing the swing for the children.

 

So Jan had to push his grandchild of course.

 

Anthony tried to teach his godchild Alexa how to use the scooter.

 

Aren't they just cute ?!

 

The other day we went for a walk in our neighbourhood and had lunch in an idyllic situated restaurant 'De Zwalmmolen’.

 

 

In the afternoon we all went to the manege ‘De Paardebloem’ where Nele and me wanted to practice horse riding.

Tom and Tristan walking along the horse stables.

 

This is me on the back of Mango.

 

Alexa is watching her mum.

 

Nele and Mango.

 

Jan is encouraging his daughter.

 

 

A future horse rider?

 

Alexa and me, Ralph and a friend !

 

I hope you enjoyed this holiday post.

 

Talk to you soon!

xx

Blog anniversary & our summer holidays so far

Although I was planning to slow down blogging a little these days, I wanted to announce my 2nd blog anniversary today! I can’t believe I am blogging since 2009, July the 31st !! And I want to thank all of my readers, followers and blog colleagues, for supporting me to go on with my blog and for all the nice comments on my posts! Without all of you there would be no BELGIAN PEARLS blog at all ! So

A Visit to Joan's

 A few days ago we had the pleasure of meeting Joan and seeing her beautiful home. Joan and her husband, Dan, have been restoring an old farmhouse in the New Hampshire countryside. If you have ever read Joan's blog you know that her house is beautiful. From the moment I first saw photos of her home I fell in love with it. A lot of times when I have something built up in my head when I see it in "real life" it never quite holds up to the vision I had of it. That was NOT the case with Joan's home. It seems hard to imagine, but it was truly even more stunning than it looks in her photographs. Each and every room is finished to perfection and her attention to detail is just incredible. I can truly say that it is by far the most beautifully decorated home I have ever been inside.  I want to go back again and have more time to slowly go through each room (we had Lillie and Lola in tow so I didn't get to take in the details). My artist side is dying to go back and spend hours admiring each space!

Joan and her dog Ella, who Lillie adored, were so gracious in having us and made us feel so welcome. And she even had gifts for the girls. She gave Lola this antique children's plate with the alphabet on it. I can't wait to display it in her room when we get home.

 

I hope you all are having a blessed Sunday! I will be back hopefully tomorrow (depending on how much I get done today) with the Jane Austen party pictures and the winner of the Je T'aime pillow cover!

Sunday Showhouse, and you're invited!!

Good morning, I feel like summers lazy, slower paced days are slipping away, and I am not liking that. The official event that tells me summers sweet days won't last forever is when I start to see back to school supplies.....ugh! With the time, like an hour glass slowly fading away...I am suddenly craving more than ever a seriously relaxing getaway. As we are in the home stretch of building our house, that is highly unlikely (best I can hope for is a few days at the beach) so I am taking a virtual fantasy trip today....all the homes today are incredibly grand, the first house being in the Bahamas has me longing for a lazy, "do as I please" weekend, going there would suit me just fine, then we move onto two equally grand homes in their own right, and again with spaces so over the top.....a weekend there would be heaven. Come take a look.....
CA'LIZA BAHAMAS, I have always loved this home. This magnificent Island colonial home is named after the owners daughter, Eliza. This is just the epitome of understated Island sophistication. Just a glorious home with a soothing and pale palette to promise the most welcoming and relaxed ambiance. The open shutter windows to allow the island breezes are in every room with a large loggia off of the back facing the ocean. Does it get any dreamier than this? I think not!

Love the exterior, very tall but not imposing, of course the shutters add so much

Now this is what I call a loggia!

I love the tranquility of this space, I can see this being a cozy spot to indulge in a great book

What a view, will have my afternoon cocktail here, thank you!

Soft and tonal, neutral dining room

Love the kitchen too....

How about this bedroom? So chic....

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA Then we travel to the west coast and to gorgeous Newport Beach, perched high on the hill to take full advantage of the majestic water views, this rather opulent home is quite impressive. Though the interior furnishings do not reflect my personal style, and think they are overdone,  I am still wowed by this house and the exteriors and grounds/views are beyond incredible. With a few improvements and furniture changes here and there, this is and could be ones ultimate dream home. I would however want to live outside, I am just mesmerized by that setting.

You know with an entrance like this...something fabulos lies beyond!

Love an interior courtyard

Would want to do a redo here

Not a huge fan of red dining rooms, just my personal opinion

This is a cozy family room, I like the grays and soft tones

The kitchen looks really pretty and open, with big open doors and windows to the outside

A bathroom fit for a queen and as I typed this sure enough..there is a tiara over there!

Love the way this loggia is done.....overlooking the pool

Breathtaking don't you think?

Oh the meals we would enjoy here.......this is where I would spend all my time

Quite spectacular.....perched way high up on the hill it takes full advanatage of the water views

Gorgeous!

Something about a house at dusk with all the lights on...its magical!

This is too much! I would go cross eyed, not sure if I should stare at the water view or the TV! (But I suppose I could get used to it, haha)

Oh and did I mention there is a dock and landing for your yacht? You do have one, don't you?

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS. This older elegant estate home is an understated manor that has been lovingly restored and maintained. What I love here, is whether or not its your taste,that they stayed true to the integrity of the home when they undertook the renovation and followed through with equally appropriate decor. I think it happens to be quite beautiful and certainly very grand. The formal gardens are dreamy and overall this is a very special and stately home. Step inside!

Beautiful elegant and stately living room (love the wall color, a sand color)

Love this fabulous wide gallery/hallway off the main foyer

Updated fresh English style kitchen perfect for big get togethers!

Formal, wood paneled library for your reading pleasure

Don't you love this hallway? I do!

Increidble formal Parterre gardens are a perfect setting for afternoon coffee

A beautiful pond filled with looks like Carp fish grace the beautiful gardens

Three incredible homes...any of which I would be thrilled to live in. I do love the first one for its light, airy but so sophisticated Island feel...then that second ones views and grounds are just out of this world not to mention that the entrance isn't too shabby either, and last the understated elegance of the last one cannot be discounted, it is quietly fabulous. Do you have a favorite? Love to know! Have a great Sunday!