Hey y’all! Welcome!
I’m Edie and I’m honored to have you visiting my online home. It was nearly five years ago that I started this blog and I do not take for granted the privilege to write here. I used to have a job that required me to actually get dressed and leave the house in the mornings but most days now you’ll find me at home, teaching and raising children, cooking up a storm, getting lost in classic books, and learning to enjoy the beauty of ordinary days. I’m obsessed with art and design, all things Texas, banjo music, cowboy boots, colorful, quirky home decor, New Year’s resolutions and Southern-ness.
Six years ago, I decided to give up my career as a family practice physician to stay home full time with my family.
I’m not gonna lie. It’s not been an easy transition. The next year, I began homeschooling my girls. Whoa, Nelly.
There were days I wasn’t sure I’d make it.
The good news is, I firmly believe in inspiring spaces, so we school in this workroom/craft room/laundry room.
It’s a pretty great place to spend hours on end, even when the days get long and hard.
In short order, this southern belle became a blogger, a homeschooler, a Lutheran, and a self-proclaimed goddess of the domestic arts. I taught myself to cook, to sew, to craft, and am trying to learn how to garden. There just never seems to be enough hours in the day to do it all but I don’t go down without a fight!
I love teaching my girls to be keepers at home. They made this pom-pom wreath recently and are learning to be industrious little women.
I am humbled and grateful to be right where I am doing just what I’m doing, with all its trials and joys.
I look for the
divine among the mundane and cherish the sacred grace moments that spring up through the stony ground of everyday living. I view my vocation as a wife and mother as nothing short of miraculous—-that God would entrust His beautiful created life to me is an honor of which I am not worthy.
We are one blessed, blended family!
I am making this journey….this amazing life….with my husband of twelve years, who continually inspires me, who never ceases to ‘raise the bar’ to deeper levels of love and understanding. And who always grabs the book I was just about to read next.
(I know what you’re thinking….he’s so darn cute. Yes, yes he is!)
We are truly living LIFE-IN-GRACE— a dream that we do not deserve.
So, welcome to my online home. I am thankful that you have come. I hope you will find here some inspiration and encouragement for your own journey.
Stay awhile and I’ll make some coffee and we’ll sit and chat in my favorite room of the house, the screened in porch.
An introduction wouldn’t be complete without telling you about December of 2010.
Our lives drastically changed, 3 days before Christmas, when we lost everything but a turquoise chair in a
devastating house fire.
(there are links on the sidebar to various rooms in the house!)
And I almost forgot to tell you that BETTER HOMES and GARDENS shot our house in September and will featuring our rebuild story in the January 2013 issue.
I nearly died when we first found out they were gonna run the story. I wrote about the experience
here and
here.I haven’t seen the article yet but I’ll be the one squealing at the check out line at Ingles. I’m real subtle like that.
If you’d like a particularly long laundry list of stuff about me, which consequently is about as exciting as doing your laundry, click
here, and
here, and
here.If you’d like you’d like to read a few posts that would give you the ‘essence’ of lifeingrace, visit
here or
here or
here.
And in case you get any crazy ideas that our life must be wonderful and gracious all the time, let me clue you in to a little tidbit. This is a blog—-a online journal, if you will, of our lives and my thoughts. This is not reality. My house gets dirty and disorganized, my children scream and fight, the dogs run through the house soakin’ wet and chew all my outdoor cushions; and I am convinced, at times, that my showering schedule is a little lax. We are an ordinary family plagued with the same stresses and messes that you are.
We are trusting God to restore the years—–the years the locusts have eaten; the mess we’ve made with the gifts he’s given us—the disgraceful way we’ve trampled on his goodness time and time again. He makes all things new. For the sake of Christ, alone.
I leave you with these words that sat on my kitchen counter for years.
I am so glad that you have come.
I will pour out everything inside me so that you may leave
this table satisfied and fortified.
Blessings on your eyes.
Blessings on your children.
Blessings on the ground beneath you.
My heart is a ladle of sweet water, brimming over.
The Red Tent, Anita Diamanti
May God bless you with every good and perfect gift.
and I like cowboy boots, C.S. Lewis, good food, strong coffee, banjo music and books. I am a deeply flawed momma of 4 and grateful receiver of more good gifts than one heart can hold. I fight for joy and find it in the most unexpected places. I make quirky look normal, relish in my small town Southern way of living, and am learning that it's all grace--every last bit of it. 
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh I just love you Edie! I hope some day we can meet in real life.
Beautiful–You and the way you explained and expressed YOU. WOW.
I think the first time I read your blog was someone had linked your kitchen redo and I was in LOVE
I think I subscribed that day a month or so ago and over the past few days I've went back and read your whole blog. I was born and raised in Blountville,TN a little town between Kingsport and Bristol, so I was surprised that you lived in Morristown…not too far from where I grew up. I now live in Bluffton, SC, a little town just outside of Hilton Head. I just wanted to drop a line and let you know how wonderful I think you are…from your home and family to your recipes, which I haven't tried but can't wait to! Thanks for writing, and know that I'll be reading 
it's nice to meet you, i am loving you blog!
Beautifully written! It's a blessing to meet you and to read you posts! Thanks for your honesty.
Love Sarah xx
Hello Edie
To all the one's out here who have never met her, I am so proud of her! I have met her and am a better person for it! She has a sister and brother that are just as special! Not only is she talented, creative, witty and full of grace…she was a heckuva short stop too!
Love you Edie!
Hi Edie!
I came across your blog today by way of another new blog (Life with 3 Boybarians) that I came across via the Nester. I've had a little extra time on my hands lately so I went blog exploring. Anyway, what really caught my eye and kept me reading initially was that you're from eastern Tennessee and I have been wanting to find a blogger from my (new) neck of the woods. Most of the other bloggers I read are from the western US so I learn a lot about the happenings in their area but am glad that now I can read about other "happenin's" in this area! Anyway, read more of your blog and love it! You've got me hooked! Can't wait to get to know you better!
Hi Edie!
I love your blog so much. Every afternoon I have 1 hour between teaching kindergarten and when my 2 girls get home from school. The first thing I do is grab a diet coke and then check your blog. You are such an amazing person. By the way, we have a 1 year old English Cream Golden that looks just like yours! How did YOUR training go? Ours – not so well! But, dang, he is sooooo cute!!!
Leslie
Okay missy – Where have you been all my life… Your style is amazing and nothing short of EXCEPTIONAL! Thanks for sharing! (I must get busy, Jesus)
Ok Edie, I have been on your blog for hours now. Some (my husband) might say that’s it my ADDDD. I say it’s because I’m trying to read your blog at the same time explaining how to make Grape Salad to my (husband) sweetie <3… Actually I really enjoy it! Great job :^) I'll be returning (daily) often.. PS I'm on a very restricted cal.diet too. This can make me a little bit of grouchier some times. Only 24 more days to go!! Looking @ all of your recipes sure doesn't help. I just keep telling myself ~ Nothing taste better then thin~
I admire your dedication to your family…I could take a lesson or two! I’m slowly reading through your old posts so hopefully some of it will rub off on me.
Great pictures and About page!
Hi Edie! I found your blog through Pinterest as I was looking for the perfect blue to paint my ceiling I clicked on a link and it brought me to you! Your header grabbed me because I am in the process of purchasing all of those books for my 9 year old. I clicked on your about page to find out more and I am just going to say that your words bless me! “We are trusting God to restore the years……the years the locusts have eaten—the mess we’ve made with the gifts he’s given us—the disgraceful way we’ve trampled on his goodness time and time again. He makes all things new. For the sake of Christ, alone.” I love this! I am leaving here today inspired and joyful. I will be back!!! xoxo
Go Girl!! I believe you DO deserve to live a LIFE-IN-GRACE.
Thanks for sharing and having so much gratitude for your blessings.
Peace ~ Holly
I just found your blog and am just tickled pink! I think I will sit and stay awhile. Thank you for being such the hostess..because I feel like I am home.
Faith
love you xo
Hands down my favorite blog ever…have enjoyed your writing since the day I found it many years ago. Your words and pictures are an inspiration.
Thank you for another wonderful year of enjoyment. I have stolen some of your decorating ideas, made some of your recipes and most of all just had fun scrolling through your blog.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2013!
Wow, Edie, you blew me away…or should I say that God blew me away through you. This is such a testament and wonderful story to hear. So glad I found your little home here and can’t wait to keep following along!
Beautifully done! Your style just keeps me scrolling and clicking…you, my dear, are my abyss of blogland. You have inspired me for a year now and for a year I’ve been saying, “I’m going to do that!”. Journal my life along the way!
I’ve begun the latter leg of my journey, I’m sixty (chocking on the thought and still not believing it) two years old, have raised 5 kids and have 10 grandchildren and one on the way. I’m a Jane -of -all- trades and I think that I’ve lost enough brain cells to believe that I could do a blog AND I’m a Texissippian! Born and raised in Mississippi, married my Mississippi HSS a and moved to Texas 2 days after we wed…that was 43 years ago. I still say “y’all” and “fixin to” and I have started to love boots.
Now, I’ve got 13 days to come up with a name and an about me …suggestions welcome on that name part.
I pray that your family has a beautiful Christmas and I am always reading whether I comment or not!
Hi Edie. I love your picture. The muted colors make you shine!
Thank you Thank you Edie as you have so greatly inspired me! Im so happy to have found your sweet blog and YOU. Everything you do here is seasoned with God I see it:)Thank you for sharing your lovely family and so much of your life with us all its truely a huge pleasure to get to know you.
I found you through Julia at Hooked On Houses, and absolutely love your heart and story. You have a beautiful family, and it’s amazing to see God work in your life even with all of its heartache and craziness. Keep in touch!
Kristina
Nook & Sea
I just discovered your blog after seeing your home in the January issue of BHG, which is beautiful. Oh my goodness, I have just finished DEVOURING the 31 day series on hospitality and all of your DIY pages. Love love LOVE this blog and am having to tear myself away to get anything done at home tonight!
Edie!
Yeehaw! that I have been introduced to you through this awe-inspiring site! First, through the magazine that I got a few weeks ago (wow!), and also another connection just today through my daily email from Jones Design Company. I know it sounds funny to say, and a bit hokey maybe, but I hear so many of my thoughts in the things you have here. Thank you for your transparency. (And that you love all things Texas…) And LOVE that you are homeschooling as well… (Whoa, Nelly! is definitely the right phrase!) Thanks for posting what works for you…always enjoy hearing how it plays out for others (and grabbing a few pointers, too.)
This space you have created is a blessing to all who gather ’round.
Grace to you, mama, and your family, too.
To God be the glory,
Erin
I found your blog via Emily at Jones Design Co blog and I am oh, so excited to read every post. My heart soars when I come across women with great taste and a desire to honor the Lord! Thanks for sharing your life and home!
I come across your blog the other day and was intrigued by your book “31 days to a Heart of Hospitality”. As one who serves on our church’s Hospitality Ministry and is rather new to this ministry I am always looking for ways to gain insight, be enlightened, and be inspired by others who also have a passion to love on others and share their hearts in Hospitaility. Edie look forward to read about all God has for me in reading your blog. God Bless!!
I already loved this – and then you quoted The Red Tent
Looking forward to reading more!
Hi,
I learned about your blog through Better Homes and Gardens magazine. It’s wonderful to learn you are as lovely as your home!
I am an RN that stayed home to home school our four boys, now grown; the youngest is 24, the oldest is 34.
They are the hardest and the best years ever, a two-edged sword. No one will learn more than you or be more blessed, even though you do it for God and the children. God Bless,
Sandy, from Upstate NY.
Dear Edie: I just recently came across your blog. I rarely read blogs. I live in Utah and I am a grown up “Mormon Mommy” at age 53. My husband and I are both designers so our house is a bit of surprise. On the outside it is a quaint cottage, but inside it reflects our love of travel with our only adopted beautiful son. We purchase one special piece of remembrance for our house wherever we go. Now I have a beautiful daughter-in-law and a two year old grandson. I know my daughter-in-law as a bit taken back when she first came into our home. Our home is one that we pray will always have the spirit of God in it and that many times a year my husband and I are able to use our God-given talents in fundraisers to help others. Finding your blog was no accident. I had never heard of it or seen it. Now I am a Grandma at home and the job is just as wonderful. Thank you for your heartfelt inspiration. You truly are an angel in the hands of God in delivering your messages of love, creativity and peace to all. God bless you in all you do. Sincerely, Maureen Pinegar
What a great “about” page!! Beautiful
Edie,
I am happy to be here.’
Kathy Bailey
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