I love old things.

Quirky houses with character...hidden nooks and creaky floors.  Ancient books that tell of inspiring, faith-filled saints long forgotten.  Furniture with cracks and crevices, that cradled laughing families I've never met.  Colorful quilts made by tired, loving hands to warm another's heart.

I love old things.  I also love to breath.  And with allergies to dust and mold, bleach is my best friend.  I am a tosser at heart I have to admit, happy to de-clutter and simplify. Always looking with my handy-man-hubby to improve, make better...make do.

I want to capture the past, to preserve beauty-gone-by-the-wayside.  To use what is use-able to make all that surrounds me inviting and peaceful, a haven of rest to my fellow weary sojourners.  

Trying to restore, preserve.  Trying to clean, discard and improve.  These two seemingly opposite sides of me meet somewhere in the middle as we take care of 2 old, missionary cabins by the sea.

One of our family's favorite places to be.

P.S. Any ideas out there how to "salvage" moldy, musty books?  I would love to sit for a while and get lost in these pages, but the truth is I start to wheeze as soon as I turn to the front page.  Don't you just hate to toss books?  Hmmm, what to do?  Such a dilemma.