The Suede Sofa Blog

Thank God For All I’ve Missed

As I look forward to CeLeBrAtiNg my 9^th wedding anniversary next week I ThAnK GoD for every step and misstep that led me to the life that I live ToDaY. My husband and I met on a Friday the 13^th 10 years ago. It was a CoMpLeTe ChAnCe MeEtiNg and I truly believe that we were DeStiNeD to be together. Over the years I’ve thought about how lucky we are and I try my best not to take a second of it for granted. We have TwO BeAuTifuL ChiLdrEn, a house that we love, wonderful memories, and hope for an ExCitiNg FuTurE.

While driving the other day I heard the Darius Rucker song titled, This. The lyrics talk about all of the events that happen in life that lead you to where you are right now. “Thank God for all I’ve missed ‘cause it led me here to this,” is a lesson that I think so many people can learn from. Too many times we get stuck in the mentality that when things don’t work out the way we plan we have failed. Maybe they aren’t failures, but just StEpPiNg StOnEs to the life that we were meant to live.

~Jersey Girl~

I Love You Anyway

This past week the phrase “I Love You Anyway” became a popular saying in our house. I did something that I knew disappointed my husband. Feeling terrible after I saw the let down on his face I asked, “But you love me anyway, right?” He replied, “Of CouRse.”

Then a few days later, my daughter broke one of my favorite Christmas ornaments. Initially I gasped, but after seeing how terrible she felt I said, “Leanne…it is oKaY. Accidents happen. I LoVe you anyway.”

I am so gRateFul for the people in my life that will love me anyway…no matter if I ruin their favorite shirt…cancel on a play-date because I’m feeling overwhelmed as a Mom…or call them to vent and never ask them how their day is going.

Everyone needs someone in their life that will show unconditional loVe whether it be a friend, family member, spouse or pet (and of course Jesus! Can I get an “Amen?!”). Maybe it is time to return the favor and show someone you love them back, even though they hurt you recently or did something that bothered you. Remember how great it feels to be loved “anyway”, and give it to another in return.

P.S. These roses were a “surprise” from Doug and Leanne after church on Sunday. Just another reminder that I am LoVed AnYwAy! Now it’s time for me to pass it on….

~Lara

My Dream {Greeley} Extreme Home

I dream about ReNoVaTiNg little cottages and cool old buildings. This old school house in the cute little town of Greeley, KS is one that captures my ImaGinAtioN everytime I pass by it on the way to Kansas City. Just thought I would share!

Couldn’t you just imagine one huge great room on the first floor. I also love how the basement windows are up so high taking away the dungeon-y feel!

This is just one of many building I love. I’ll share more later!

Robynn~

{Gravity}

One of my personal “TrAdiTioNs” each summer is to go off the HiGh-DiVe at least one time. This past summer I was in great company during this yearly AdReNaLiNe RiTuaL of mine. I was the only female in the deep end and (at age 43) brought down the average age of the 12 or so swimmers to AbOuT 10-YeArS oLd. Get the picture?! Did I feel out of place? Just a little!

Taking the HiGh-DiVe pLuNgE is something I do for no better reason than just the ShEeR ThriLL Of It. At first I feel this scary, but exciting feeling as I look at the water below and step over the edge, then, in a second it is over. This reminds me a lot of getting the momentum going in almost any project you want to take on. Many times it takes a whole lot more energy getting to the stepping off point than it actually does for the rest of the task. Then “GrAviTy” seems to take over.

If you are wanting to complete a task, especially one that you have procrastinated on, TaKe ThE FiRsT StEp. As you do, you may find that “gravity” kicks in and that the hardest part is over!

Robynn~

{Where Are You?}

I love the HoLiDaYs. If you’ve been reading our recent posts you may already know that. However, my EnThUsiaSm and JoY is tempered with CoMpaSsioN for others because I know of many who are going through great PaiN and SorRoW at this very moment. Some have lost jobs or struggle to make ends meet, others have been given a grim diagnosis, and others have experienced loss in one form or another. My heart goes out to them, because although I may not be feeling that kind of pain at the moment, I have felt it in the past and it HuRtS.

WhErE aRe YoU? Maybe your life at the moment is pure bliss. Or maybe you are experiencing the extreme opposite. Or maybe you are somewhere in-between. Where ever you are…

GoD.

Is.

TheRe.

He’s either in because you’ve let Him in or He’s KnOcKiNg at the door, but in either case, He’s there.

If your life is full of cheer ShArE it with someone not as fortunate.

If your life is full of pain and saddness turn to the source of CoMfOrT, PeAcE, and JoY because…

He’s only a prayer away.

Robynn~

Homemade Christmas Potpourri

I know I shared this a couple of years ago, but I just had to share this again for anyone that may have missed it! I LoVe this homemade potpourri! It is super easy to make and will smell up your entire home for the holidays! Try it out and let me know what you think!

3 Cinnamon Sticks

3 Bay Leaves

¼ C. Cloves

2 Lemon Wedges

1 Orange Peel

(Top 3 ingredients are found in the dry spice section of the grocery store.)

CoMbiNe all of these ingredients in a small crock-pot. Add water to cover top of all ingredients. Leave on low temperature. As the smell fades, continue to add water and various ingredients to keep the mixture moist for a continuous yummy smell! EnJoy!

*Be sure to unplug your crockpot at night because all the water will be gone by morning and the potpourri will be burnt!

*If you are ready to start a new batch, drain the water and set out the old potpourri to dry. Even as dry potpourri it smells AWESOME! Place the dry potpourri in a pretty bowl on a table as another way to smell up your home and extend the life of your potpourri!

Need a quick X-Mas Present idea?! Throw the ingredients into a basket or mini-crockpot and give as a gift! Include a printed version of the recipe by clicking here!

~Lara

I AM…OSA JOHNSON {WORLD FAMOUS EXPLORER, AUTHOR, & AVIATOR} AND I LIVED MY DREAM!

ImAgIne sitting down for an interview with Osa Johnson when she was alive. Well, that’s exactly what the Suede Sofa did. We asked SaFaRi MuSeUm CuRaToR JacKie BorGeSoN if she could find quotes from Osa on a couple of questions regarding this InCrEdibLe WoMaN from Chanute, Kansas, LiViNg HeR DrEaM. The answers were amazing, as if we actually did interview Osa (they are actual quotes of Osa’s). We hope you are InSpIrEd to “LiVe ThE AdVeNtUrE” of the life you were DeStiNeD to live!

Robynn~

The first is sometimes attributed to Martin, but Osa uses it in her book Four Years in Paradise. The second comes from the speech Osa gave late in her life.

The following video is a mini tour of the Safari Museum located in Chanute, KS. Curator Jackie Borgeson takes us on a quick tour providing fascinating information about the life of Osa and Martin Johnson. Enjoy!!

Check out our post on Safari Museum Curator Jackie Borgeson by clicking here.

{Best Pancakes Ever!!}

Hey, all you ChaNuTiaNs and SoUthEaSt KaNsAs folk, here are two great events occuring in Chanute, KS!

On Saturday, November 12th you can help the following ChAriTabLe CaUsEs:

The TuRkEy TrOt – A 5K run/walk that starts and finishes at the ReHaB & FiTnEsS CeNteR (Just West of The Hospital) at 9 a.m. Proceeds go to the FaiTh HoUsE, an organization that houses people in need. Cost is $15. This includes a t-shirt. For more info. call 620-432-5379.

The KiWaNiS PaNcAkE FeEd – A pancake feed from 6 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Masonic Temple on Highland and Elm Street. Proceeds will go to help children in need at Christmas.

These two events are always held on the same day and this has become a FaMilY trAdiTioN. My husband runs in the Turkey Trot while my girls and I cheer him on and then we head over to eat ThE BeSt PaNcaKes EvEr!! And I’m not just saying this because my father-in-law is a Kiwanis. They really are AwEsOmE! In fact, I really don’t eat pancakes anywhere else (except maybe at home) because they just can’t “StAcK-Up”! You just have to come and try them yourself!!

I’ll try to get a video for you!

Robynn~

{Banana.Nut.Bread} “Half-Baked”

I LoVe banana-nut bread. LoVe It! I don’t think I would put it in my top 3 favorites, but it’s up there. However, when it comes to waiting for it to come out of the oven it tops ALL. I just can’t help but to keep opening up the oven door, checking to see if it is done. Maybe it’s because it is one of the few things you don’t have to let cool before you take a bite of it. Maybe it’s because it MeLtS in your mouth. Whatever the reason, I know that waiting the 1 hour for it to bake is going to be excruciating for me. I have even tried taking it out of the oven before the 1 hour of baking time is up and here is what I have ObSeRveD:

1.) Banana-nut bread batter is YuMmY.

2.) Banana-nut bread that is piping hot out of the oven is even MoRe YuMmY.

3.) “HaLf-BaKeD” banana nut bread is nasty. The only one who is eating that is WaLteR, our chocolate lab.

So, what’s the point, you may be thinking. Well, this reminds me of life and how from time to time we find ourself in circumstances and situations (A.K.A. TriAls) that seem more than we can handle. It’s as if the heat and pressure are turned up and no matter what we do, how much we pray, or how adamently we plead with God to “GeT Me OuT oF HeRe!” we’re not coming of the “FiRe” until his work is complete. The crazy thing is how God can use something we think is so terrible to perfect us. How did He do that?!

When you find yourself in this uncomfortable place remember that God has the AmAziNg AbiLitY to “work All things for His good for those who love Him.” Romans 8:28.

So, although you may be squirming, HaNg On Baby! Its not forever. It just feels like it. :)

Robynn~

P.S. One of these days I’ll share my Banana-Nut Bread recipe!

Christmas Card Display

I was SeArChiNg the internet and local stores for something to display my ChRiStMaS cArDs. I have a little basket for most of the cards, but I wanted something that I could use to display the picture cards that FriEnDs and FaMiLy send of their kids. Everything I came across was either too small or too expensive. Not willing to spend $75.00 on the one I really wanted, I decided to MaKe My OwN.