Random thoughts on a baseball tournament Saturday morning:
1. Are you watching the World Cup? I am all about it. Seriously. Who knew? I’m not even that much of a soccer watcher, but I can’t help it. It’s amazing. All the people of the world coming together to cheer on their teams.
2. It was an exciting week on the blog. We discussed summer decorating ideas for the family room and transformed a thrift store hutch and discovered this one tip that will change a chair forever.
3. And blue and white? It worked its way into the family room, too. I just refreshed the entire space with a little more color. WHAT IS HAPPENING? I’m going to try and take pictures this weekend and post on Monday.
4. The twins made it safely back from camp. Denton made it to Germany and Zack made it safely back from mowing the neighbor’s yard. And I survived.
5. We are having a Bachelorette watching party here on Monday. When I’m thinking of snacks the comments on this post are my go to.
6. You are amazing. Just in case no one else had mentioned it yet today…
…I wanted to be the first.
And now?
Let’s see what the internet has been up to this week.
This beautiful home tour.
Everything just feels so fresh.
Take the entire tour here.
Don’t you love a tip?
Especially one that is simple?
Here’s one on how to hang things on brick without any damage.
See the tip here.
This beautiful chandelier.
And four tips for shopping for antiques.
See the tips here.
And if you are looking for a planner for next year?
This is one of the best.
And it’s FREE.
You can download it here.
In random news this week:
This tour of the Southern Living idea house (look at how they hung the picture frames)
What to shop for in thrift stores
Interesting take on the effects of tourism
House tour full of pattern
This living room
This DIY summer garland
These dog pictures will make you smile
And in honor of Father’s Day—here are 29 dad jokes that are actually funny
And in honor of Father’s Day I share this:
I grew up in a household full of love and joy and creative individuals—a band of merry men led by the merriest of them all.
My father was the heartbeat of our home. He knew every single element on the periodic table and every detail of the revolutionary war and could sing every verse of the Battle Hymn of the Republic in a perfect tune he strummed out on his guitar. He was witty and funny and kind and generous and when he talked to you he had the amazing ability to make you feel like you were the only person in the room.
And that you could climb mountains.
Probably backwards…..carrying your brother in a wheelbarrow.
He taught us by the way he lived. He walked with his head held high and he shook your hand and looked you in the eyes and you knew you were special. He showed us that every single person has value and worth and much grace should be given because you never know the battle that someone else is fighting.
I thought he was a giant.
I thought he was a king.
I thought he was a warrior and that he would live forever.
And then nine years ago in the blink of an eye suddenly and without any warning…..
….the leader of our band of merry men was gone.
I was so angry.
How could we go on without him? He was our world. I shook my fist and sobbed and asked the same question over and over and over again.
WHY?
I didn’t even get to say goodbye. I would give the world to get to talk to him one more time. Just to see his smile. Just to hear his voice.
Just to tell him I loved him.
And then one summer at the Cape my mother handed me an envelope. She had been slowly going through his things and she found a letter he had written to each one of his children years and years earlier. He had so many things to tell us….she said….and he wrote them down to pass on the wisdom of what he had learned. Life lessons he wanted to make sure we remembered. He wrote the letter and sealed it and left instructions for it to be opened after he was gone.
You see….he knew.
He knew we would be lost without him. He knew that life’s journey would be challenging and full of twists and turns….without direction. He knew we would need reassurance and hope and words of wisdom for the lonely road ahead. And when she handed me the letter…..tears filled my eyes…..
….and then I opened it and read:
“KariAnne,
You are rich; you are delightful; you are creative. Through your natural personal energy, you can make the world better for having lived.
But with great talent comes great responsibility.
You must discipline your talking ability to increase your personal effectiveness. By discipline, I mean you must learn and sharpen your listening skills and your timing. You have a natural integrity that can be used or ignored. Always follow the straight road. Short term gains made at the expense of your integrity will ruin you in the end.
Practice grace.
Practice charm.
Be a guardian to your brothers and sisters. You may be one of their few sources of strength.
Love to you,
Dad”
Those words of wisdom are still swirling around in my head and I want to clutch the pages forever to my heart and tell him thank you.
Thank you for being an example of a life well-lived.
Thank you for being tough and understanding and oh so patient with a daughter who opened her mouth and inserted her foot more times than you could count.
Thank you for your legacy.
And thank you for taking the road less traveled.
I love you Dad…..
…..and I always will.
Tears. Your dad must have been a remarkable man. His letter to you and your post today speak volumes. I’m a fortunate girl because I had a great dad too. He didn’t tell me how to live, He just lived and let me watch and learn. He’s been gone eight years and I miss him every day. Let’s both celebrate their lives tomorrow!
Love the letter and that you have the gift of his handwriting. I consider his handwriting as important as the message and his gift of time. Taking the time to think about what he wanted to tell you to last forever. The gift is love. I lost my mom in my 20s and all of my siblings, after 38 years, continue to feel her message. Her voice is strong still, we must continue to hear that parent that is gone. That is the challenge. Someone told me this last year that in the Jewish tradition, you die twice. Once, when you physically die and a second time, when you are last spoken of. Keep your father alive, I know you are doing that.
Oh, my word I am bawling my eyes out. Your dad was wonderful and wise, and knew you so well. My 2 brothers and 2 sisters and I never really did recover after our Pop died. He was our heartbeat too, our fearless leader. May they both be at peace, knowing they had a couple really great daughters in us, yes? ;-) Enjoy father's day with the father of your children. And keep those wonderful memories close to your heart always. ♥ Now what did I do with my box of tissues..................
Love what you said about your dad.😢he raised an amazing daughter in you (and from your other stories-siblings)!!!!!!!!! His legacy lives on in you and your children. Thanks for the weekly wrap up and great ideas!!!!!!!
So many beautiful pictures of beautiful decor, but really the most beautiful are relationships. What a precious privilege to have been so close to your Dad. What a lasting gift to have lived a life well, and given you this letter. Father's Day, though hard in the missing, is a day to celebrate the gift of your Dad! Might we all write a letter for those we are closest to? None of us knows the number of our days. I was a late in life baby, the only girl after two tween boys, their "surprise." I miss both my parents every single day and celebrate the incredible blessing of having two wonderful parents who loved me, were my number one cheerleaders, walked in integrity and faith in God. What a gift not all get to experience. KariAnne, may you carry on those qualities he instilled in you to your children, family, and others. I have a feeling you are. Hugs on this Father's Day, my friend.
Thank you for such a wonderful story.
What a beautiful testament to your father and such a wonderful letter and legacy he left for you.
Hey, Karianne! Things are looking great in your neck of the woods! Here's an easy easy recipe that my family is addicted to. Got it while at the market thanks to my hovering Labrador dog like hubby! 1 (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese (room temp-soft) 1/2 cup sour cream 1 pkg (1.3 oz) Knott Vegetable Mix 1/2 cup Frank's RedHot OriginalSauce Serve with: a bag of Good Natured Vegetable Ranch Crisps or pita chips, or celery sticks, cucumber coins, wheat thins. Doesn't really matter. Hope you try it and y'all like it. Happy Saturday, deb
TEARS!! I have no words except- special treasured memories♥
Oh my, what a gift your father left you. I would give anything to have a letter from my dad. Thank you for sharing your creative gift with all of us! I enjoy your posts, and this one was extra special!
What a lovely gift your father left for you with that sweet letter! Losing your dad is one of life's biggest heartbreaks. I miss my dad every day. Hugs to you! Thank you for sharing my coastal living room this week. xoxoxo
Such a beautiful letter from your Dad. Tears fill my eyes knowing how wonderful it must have been for you to read it. A beautiful gift and treasure.
So beautifully written, as always, Karianne.
KariAnne, Thanks so much for sharing your God given gifts and talents. I'm sure your Dad is smiling. Reading your articles are like reading daily devotionals...for me anyway...keep writing, creating, and please keep sharing.
It's been almost 4 years since I lost my dad. He had dementia, so really, I "lost" him in bits and pieces even before then. When he passed, my thought was, "Now God has given him a new mind and a new body" and truthfully, I couldn't wish him back. The hope of Heaven has become much more real to me now. We WILL see our daddies again and that is a beautiful thought.
Thank you for sharing your Dad’s letter. What a treasure to have and I’m sure when you read it, you hear his voice ❤️
So sweet. I cried all the way through. I wish I could have k own your dad. Love you karianne
KariAnne, how wonderful to have that special letter from your Dad. You have been blessed with a treasure from your earthly father.
Sometimes I miss My Daddy so much it takes my breath away.. thanks for sharing your Daddy with us.
Your dad's letter. I can feel his love for you.
I'm still crying after reading your dad's story and that wonderful letter!!! I felt every emotion / love which he had for you!! What a wise and tender loving care man he was!!! I grew up without a "band leader" and as I read that letter I wish I had one one to....
KariAnne, thank you so much for sharing the link to the Southern Living Idea House. It was such a joy to get to tour!
Karianne: As tears run down my cheeks, I thank you for your beautiful memory of your dad. Six years ago my father died and I don't think we ever stop missing our dads. I was always my dad;s special girl and even though I;m 69 years old , that has not changed. He had Parkinson's the last 2 years of his life, and for his sake, I was glad to release him to Jesus' arms, The love he demonstrated to my mother, me, his son-in-law, his sons and his grandchildren is a precious precious legacy. I am so thankful that the hope of heaven is real--for reunions as well as all its other promises!
If only I had a letter from my dad...
You are so blessed to have this precious letter from your father. He sounded like such a wonderful and wise man. My son is studying abroad this summer in Berlin. At the end of the trip he will climb a mountain. Hard to let him follow his dreams. Love when they are all home tucked safely in their beds.
What a lucky girl you are, to have had such a wonderful man for a father. Those we love are always gone too soon. Blessings