Back to Blogging after the Storms: It is Well with My Soul

 

Hey there, my friends.  After an extended hiatus, it is well with my soul, and time to get back to blogging.

It is well with my soul. printable, wall decor, scripture art, spiritual printable, hymn, glorydesigns etsy shop

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I’m sorry that I was quiet here for so long, and I’m excited about being back in this big blogosphere with y’all.  After I’d written my last post, I decided to step back from blogging for a short period, to get the wind back in my sails, so to speak.  But, I knew I was still grieving the loss of my sister-in-law, Katie, who passed away a few months earlier.  I really valued her feedback on my posts, and when I realized that I’d looked for her comment, I was overcome with emotion, and knew I just needed some time to heal before I got back to blogging.  So, I prayed for a little help with that when Luke and I visited the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos at St. Mary’s Assumption Church in his old childhood neighborhood.

It is well with my Soul - Stained Glass, National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos at St. Mary's Assumption Church in New Orleans, Louisiana, floral design, Fleur de Lis pattern in border

Sometimes, when I’m overwhelmed like that, I’ve kept myself busy with design work and focused a lot on the details in our projects.  Fortunately, at that time, Luke and I were working on a commercial project for a local quasi-public entity that required a lot of attention to detail.  It needed very organized thought, and that helped me to regain a sense of normalcy.  Maybe because there’s an architectural saying that “God is in the Details” (Mies van der Rohe).

God is in the Details - Mies van der Rohe quote; skylight, structure, It is well with my Soul

I wanted to write thoughtful meaningful posts, that were helpful, interesting, and entertaining for y’all.  I also wanted to include my own photos in my posts, so I started working on my photography skills again.  For some blogging rejuvenation and inspiration, I turned to local cultural events that we could go to during weekday evening hours or on the weekends.  Luke and I attended an exhibit on the artworks of Clementine Hunter, toured the inaugural Traditional Home Southern Style Now showhouse, and joined fellow architects and interior designers at various events in inspiring venues, like the historic Southern Hotel in downtown Covington. Just when I started feeling like I was getting my mojo back for blogging again, the 1,000-year rainfall in 2 days caused the Great Louisiana Flood of 2016.

Fine art digital print. Girl with Umbrella in the Rain, joreyhurley etsy shop. It is well with my Soul

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The rain kept falling, my beautiful State was flooding, and so many people needed help.  It was distressing to see the magnitude of damaged homes, and knowing a tremendous need for short-term design assistance after the storm cleanup.  And, I thought, ‘as soon as I’m finished with these specs, I’ll get back to blogging and share inspiring stories and my expertise in architecture and interior design’.  Well, do y’all remember what happened the last time I wrote a lot of technical specifications before getting back to blogging?  Ugghhh!!! I needed to relax my brain and get those creative juices flowing again.

Enamel pin made from original hand-drawn illustration; write something; witandwhistle etsy shop; It is well with my Soul

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It was around that time that blueberries were in season, and I decided to make some pies!  Yep, I started channeling Martha Stewart, and pretended that I was preparing for The Great British Baking Show!  Really, I think I might have impressed Martha, Mary Berry, and Paul Hollywood with one of my bakes!  Maybe.

Blueberry Pie with Pate Brisee Crust, recipe from Martha Stewart's Pies & Tarts Cookbook; It is well with my Soul

With renewed and refreshed enthusiasm, I finally felt like it was time to get back to blogging.  I’d even decided to take another fantabulous e-course from Holly Becker, with Decor8.  Best. Blogging Teacher. Evah!

decor8 Blogging Your Way e-course student badge; Holly Becker

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And, then!… some of the most horrible tropical storms started rolling in, all making landfall in the United States within a month.  Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria caused catastrophic damage beyond belief to Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico, respectively.  Then, within two weeks later, Hurricane Nate formed near the Yucatan peninsula, and started to speed across the warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico with its track heading straight toward the Gulf Coast.  Luke and I quickly grabbed a few of our most sentimental treasures, touched base with our family and friends, checked into a local hotel that could withstand hurricane force winds, and prayed for everyone’s safety before the storm moved in and flooded areas in lower southeast Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle.  For some of us living around the greater New Orleans area (hand raised here), Nate was more of a Half-i-cane that frazzled nerves by sparking flashbacks of Hurricane Katrina.  I just kept telling myself the same thing I say to others, ‘Take it easy, and keep the faith!

I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship - quote, Louisia May Alcott, Little Women; inspirational quote card by emilymcdowellstudio etsy shop; It is well with my Soul

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Now that the storms have passed, I’m keeping happy thoughts in my mind, and I’m determined now more than ever to rise and shine in this little speck of the big blogosphere, because it is well with my soul!

Rise above the Storm & You will Find the Sunshine - quote by Mario Fernandez, digital print by WychwoodCuckoo, via Etsy; It is well with my Soul

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I’m excited to get back to blogging, and have so much to share with y’all.  Here is where I hope you’ll find helpful information that either solves design dilemmas a bit, or fills you with inspiration and enjoyment.  I’ll be covering topics relative to travel and culture, home and garden, design and lifestyle, food and cooking, and, of course, loving Louisiana!  Do you have a design dilemma that you’re needing short-term assistance with?  Are you looking for inspiration for your architectural or interiors project?  If so, share them in the comments below, and it might become a topic of discussion in a future post.  Do tell!

XO,

Trisha