Finding my voice

Ever since I was a little girl... I wanted to sing.

Not just sing but give others goosebumps kinda sing.

I took private lessons and even joined the church choir.

Nope... not even with lessons and putting myself out there did I become goose bump worthy.

I wondered why God gave that gift to so many but left me out.

As I grew older,,, I sang softer and softer.

I stepped back from the choir and hushed my voice.

For years I prayed.. Lord just give me a sweet voice and I can sing my heart out for you!

It never happened.

Last night..

While I was working on some orders, I felt the urge just to paint...

No lines or limits... just paint.

So I started listening to one of my favorite songs

And I painted.. and bless my heart.. I sang.

I must have hit replay 10 times before my pictures was complete.

It just felt  good to paint and allow the music to seep into my soul.

 no rules or regulations...Grace met me there.

I hung the piece on the wall and even shared it on Instagram.

Words.. No words.

I fell asleep thinking about that canvas.

And. That's. When . It. Hit. Me

God did answer my prayers.

 I was just too blind to see it.

I found MY voice.

It's in painting!!

I may not be able to sing like a canary, but His words flow through my paint brush.

This morning I could not get out of bed fast enough..

I had to finish this piece..

All of these years, I was searching..

And all of these years... 

The words were just right there..

Waiting on me to find them...

I will lift my voice

To worship You my King

And I will find my strength

In the shadow of Your wings...

Are you searching for your voice?

 I received a few emails asking to see the painting when finished and if I would sell it?

Although no two will be just alike, I would love to offer these to those wanting one.

It measures 34"x 34" painted on birch and distressed just a bit.

130.00 + shipping

If interested, email me at susanh@eatel.net

xoxo Susie

Country Living Fair 2014

This weekend The Country Living Fair is taking place... right now...

Oh how I wish I were there...

But a little piece of me is there so I guess I should be Happy Happy Happy.

I painted this sign for a sweet reader who has a booth there.

If y'all happen to see it, could you do me a small favor?

Stop by and say HI.

And Please tell her Susie says Hi too..

Last year, my sister and I had the pleasure of visiting the fair.

It was everything I dreamed it would be.

We made new friends and found some sweet treasures.

If you were one of the lucky's to go this year, let me know in the comments please.

I would love to hear all about it

xoxo Susie

Finding the right color..

I think I found it.

Finally. I think..

The perfect shade of black.

After 3 tries... It.  Was. About. Time.

I first started with a slate black from Home Depot.

I painted it and stepped back... hmmm?

Everyone thought it was blue.

Attempt #2 found me at Lowe's with Black Magic.

I thought it was THE ONE...

Only to find out it was too black.

Funny thing was, my husband never noticed the change in wall color.

That may have been a good thing ;)

So attempt #3

Cracked Pepper.

We have a winner!!

My room is so dark the light was needed and showed off by glaring all over the wall... 

But

I found the one!

It's more of a dark grey...

Can you spot my new little table?

I found it at Target and it was just what I was wanting.

Love when that happens.

And that yummy warm sweater blanket, Target!

So here you have it folks... Cracked Pepper.

The perfect choice for me, even if it took 3 tries ;)

Do you struggle with paint colors?

Are you a sample painter or a full blown paint the whole wall and wait and see?

I'm a whole wall kinda gal..

You think I would have learned by now?

xoxo Susie

Community...Belonging

Not a blog event goes by that I don't take something special home within my heart.

Maybe a new friend, a new memory, a lesson learned..

But this trip y'all... 

This community...

This little piece of heaven...

It really taught me how to be a part of a community.

How to welcome friends with open arms and open hearts.

If you've known me for any length of time, I take things slow.

I'm that neighbor across the fence.

The one that looks lovingly over at your beautiful manicured lawn but too afraid to walk across it.

Too afraid .. to step out.

This weekend... I crossed that fence.

I tucked fear deep inside that suitcase and traveled across two states...

If you have followed Layla, you know that she took a leap of faith too.

In so many ways.

She joined a new community and said yes to an adventure.

I do believe with all my heart ...

God met us all there.

He opened doors and changed lives.

This little community, it's so BIG in so many ways.

Within hours of me crossing that fence and stepping out in faith..

A group of friends gathered to prepare a meal and open their home for us...

I do believe my heart grew two sizes at that very moment.

So off we went on a golf cart driven by Layla... passing story book homes

And picturesque waters..

We stopped in front of the home of Layla's friend that was hosting our dinner... breathe Susie breathe

Not to look too blogger'ish, I tucked my camera away and pulled out my cell.

They welcomed us.

They cooked for us.

That evening was so surreal for many of us.

As Jazz music and geese filled the brisk night air, I had to keep pinching myself.

After our dinner, we all loaded up in golf carts and headed back to the chapel.

But...

We made one quick stop at a house on the way.

Can you guess?

I'm so blessed to have friends that I have known for years like Rhoda..love her

and KariAnne.

Funny story there..

I have known Kari and blogged with her for years and yet I never made the connection until this weekend.

She is a hoot yall!

Heather, Laura and Kari

thank you.. thank you.. thank you..

"for being that community"

It's scary stepping out...

I know, trust me ... I know..

But if you let fear stand in your way,

You might just miss out on something as wonderful as this.

Now that I'm back and in my own little neighborhood, I've been doing some thinking.

I want to be the one!

It doesn't mater where you live.

Or how long you have blogged..

Step out from behind that fence!

Some sweet neighbors might just be on the other side waiting for you.

Speaking of sweet neighbors, these two below hosted our dinner.

Are they not the cutest couple?

It was so hard saying goodbye to old friends and new ones..

As I drove over the hill and headed home, I took a piece of Pikes Road home with me.

I almost had a Mr Rogers moment..

oh yes, I'm going there...

Won't you be my neighbor?

I adore all of you...

xoxo Susie

Behind the scenes at Chapel Market...

Early Friday morning I left the swamps of Louisiana and headed North to Alabama.

Layla was hosting a vintage market filled with friends and this girl was not going to miss it.

After a 5 1/2 drive I made it there within minutes to meet up with a few of my roomies,

Rhoda and Heather.

Rhoda and I drove in to give a helping hand wherever needed.

A labor of love... ;)

I think for the first ten minutes of arriving, I just walked around in awe.

It was just that amazing...

This sweet little community just touched so many of our hearts over our 2 day stay.

I can't wait to share more about that soon.

I wanted to breathe in all of this fabulousness before it would soon find its forever homes.

Every inch of space was filled to the brim of vintage delight .

Miss Mustard Seed .... oh how she rocked her space!

I bought one of her signature pieces and can't wait to tell ya'll about it.

Ever walked through a magazine in real life?

That's what this booth felt like decorated by the talented urbanfarmgirl and Susan from Mapelandmagnolia.

These girls ROCK!

I was like a moth drawn to a flame..

If you love maps, globes, vintage trucks and letters and pendants and warm fuzzy flannel blankets...

you understand...

And then there were friends like sprinkles on your cake.

These two..

Sweet Laura from Finding Home full of blog knowledge that I soaked all in ..

And see that little ball of energy below that never stayed still?

Yup, it's KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms

You have not lived till you spent the weekend with this girl.

She is a book of never ending stories and inspiration...love these girls!

Fresh Flowers...

This tree below was just one of the many items I wanted to take home from  Lucyinspired .

Her booth was just as gorgeous as she is!

I could go on and on but I know you have plenty to do today...

So join me back here and we can pick up where we left off with more great finds, friends and fun!

xo Susie