Thursday, January 22, 2015

Painting Beauty From Ashes - A New Blog

Several years ago I started this blog, The Lavender Tub.  I didn't think of myself as a blogger, or really a person that anyone would find interesting enough to follow; I just wanted a place to share some recipes and other "how to" ideas.  An insatiable desire to learn and try new things, combined with homemaking skills learned from my stay-at-home mom put me in a position of being a resource for some of my younger friends.  It made sense to have a public place to publish information that I seemed to share over and over again.


As time went on, however, The Lavender Tub became a place of therapy for me.  The death of my remaining parent (both to cancer), a job loss for my husband that lasted two full years, learning of the lengthy abuse of some children I love - which sent me into counseling to deal with issues from my own past - were all so difficult and wounding.  There were wonderful events that greatly eclipsed those painful things - my daughter gave birth to the two, most beautiful children on the planet, my hubby eventually found work and then became a partner in his CPA firm, my boys acclimated to public school from homeschool very successfully, and I even stumbled upon a little business that keeps me in some spending money.  Still, the hurt could be so heavy at times.  This blog has been a lovely escape for me as I've worked on those hurts.  When I was emotionally unable to reach out the way I once did, I found I could still blog and share ideas that might help someone.  I could get lost in editing pictures, and learn new techniques as I worked.   I could even find a calming joy in remaking a piece of outdated, undesirable furniture into something that is pretty and quite useful for our home.  It made me feel like I was Painting Beauty From My Ashes, and healing happened.  I wouldn't say I'm 100%, but I'm certainly in a better place than I was.


Since I didn't realize I was starting a real blog when I began The Lavender Tub, I made choices in my set up that locked this blog into formats and styles I am unable to change without undesirable consequences.  Honestly, I'm kind of eager for something fresh that can evolve as my skills change, and as I learn more about how to be a blogger.  For those reasons, I've decided to start a 2nd blog,  


I don't think I will abandon The Lavender Tub, for it is dear to me - mistakes and all.  I just wish to have a place to present better pictures with a cleaner format for some of what I blog about. But then again - you just never know! 

Or in the words of  
Lady Violet of Downton Abbey fame, 


I do hope you'll continue to visit, and please check out and consider following, Painting Beauty From Ashes, here.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here for you are the reason I keep blogging, and you helped me through a most difficult time.  You will never know how much you mean to me!




4 comments:

  1. Of course I'll keep reading. I always get excited to see there is a new post! Love you!

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    1. Thanks, Angela. You've always been such a kind supporter and you leave comments which are so encouraging.

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  2. Hi Ellie, It's a long time since I left a comment at your blog as blogging has been on the back burner for me over the past year but I still follow here and I think I have a number of your pins on my home and creative boards on Pinterest. I believe it was your gorgeous kitchen shelf that brought me to your blog and as a result I found the exact same brackets for my cook's shelf in my kitchen which is one of the most favourite things of mine in this home. I promised myself I wouldn't follow anymore blogs but just popped over to your new blog and how can I resist! Given much thought to what direction to take my own blog in but like yourself come to the conclusion I must write about what I am passionate about which is why so many of my posts focus on setting tables. P.S do visit my post about our Silver Anniversary. I think you will love what my husband turned an old vintage bicycle into!

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    1. Ann, I have thought about you often and wondered how life is. Thanks for the invite. I will buzz over and see - I can't wait! Thanks for your sweet words.

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