Inviting Handwoven Textiles
Four Simple Thoughts
Kitchen Cleanup
My Grandma once told me she’d rather drag herself into the kitchen at ten thirty at night than have to face the mess in the morning. Even in her nineties, I saw her leave her comfortable chair in the living room to face the dishes. Doing dishes isn’t a thrill for anyone, but a workhorse towel that is also beautiful makes the task a little more enjoyable.
Dinner Is Ready
I used to think of meals as an endless series of exhausting tasks necessary to keep my family alive. Now I consider my table an invitation to my family to linger with the people who love them more than anyone else in the whole world. A candle or some flowers from the back yard, a basket of bread lined with a beautiful cloth, a pretty table runner or some no fuss cloth napkins can transform any table into a place where people want to be.
Beauty Triumphs Over Evil
I once read a story about an impoverished coastal community in Venezuela. One day gold objects simply washed up on the shore. The sale of that gold meant food for the families in this village and a shred of comfort in grinding poverty. But one man from the village kept just one thing he’d found - a pair of earrings saying, “It’s the only pretty thing that I have.” Having something beautiful is important; we know it contributes to happiness. Beautiful things say to the broken world around us that evil doesn’t have the day.
That Looks Lovely On You!
When I was a very little girl, I went with my Mom to a nasty second hand store called Dirty Charlie’s. There I saw the most beautiful bright red velvet pants I had ever laid eyes on and I pleaded with my Mom to get them for me. I’m sure I wouldn’t pick them out today, but I still do think red is a good color for me and I still do want to wear things I think are soft and pretty. We all want to feel the comfort that comes from wrapping up in something lovely.
