Why the name Krysia Sunflowers

Why the name "Krysia Sunflowers" for my blog?


When I was a little girl, I was blessed to have this couple as my grandparents:

Babcia and Dziadziu

Babcia and Dziadziu (Polish for grandmother and grandfather) didn't have much but they were rich in love.  They immigrated to the United States from Poland, raised seven children, lived through the Great Depression, experienced joys and sorrows, and shared a love that lasted a lifetime.  If my grandparents had any favorites, I never knew it.  When I came to visit them, I felt special, cherished, and fed... fed both spiritually by their loving example and physically but my grandmother's amazing cooking.

My grandfather's nickname for me was Krysia.  He died when I was just 4 1/2 but I still fondly remember him calling me his little Krysia.  That, and his wonderful garden.  He had a true green thumb (one which I did not inherit).  It was a wonderful place to be and I imagine you can guess what my favorite plant is that he grew in his garden... Sunflowers.  Those sunflowers were enormous and so yellow - bright and cheerful.   They filled me with joy.  How can you look at a sunflower in all their glory and not feel joy?

And, for me, sunflowers remind this girl of being completely loved and cherished.  They remind me of what is really important in life; it is not things or status which are precious, rather, the people we love and faith we share.  They remind me of a couple who had little material wealth but shared it with all that entered their home.  

And so when thinking of a name for this blog, Krysia Sunflowers seemed fitting.  This is a place to share encouragement and meaning... a place to remind you (and me) how cherished you are... a place to remind you that you can flourish and bloom, even when you think you can't.  This is a place of joy. 

 "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."

Ephesians 3:17b-18

Praying you have many blessings and much joy,

Kristen

Before and After Dog Feeding Station (with pictures)

My motto is "don't buy it if you can make it".  I have wanted one of those feeding stations for our sweet dog, Sadie, but I didn't want to spend the money on one.  So what did I do?.... Well, with a little creativity and no money, here is what I did:

Before

My daughter was no longer using this little trunk that was the perfect size.  Armed with my glue gun, some scrapbook paper, and a placemat I had on-hand from IKEA, I turned it into this:

After

I laminated the scrapbook paper to protect it from spills and dribbles (you could also use clear contact paper).  The mat on top cleans up easily.  I put her bowls in a wire rack up top and filled the inside with Sadie's food and other supplies.

Now Sadie is a happy dog and it didn't cost a penny:)

Here she is...

Sadie

Praying you have many blessings and much joy!
Kristen

What's in a Name?

Growing up, I always longed for a name that was given to me with a great story or meaning behind it.    I am the youngest in my family and only girl.  Each of my brothers were given first and middle names after significant people in my parents' lives.  My parents didn't think they would have a daughter after having four sons in a row.  They were not prepared for a girl to make her appearance; thus the name chosen for me was Matthew.  Great name... for a boy.  So, for three days, I was known as baby girl.  Then I was named, Kristen Victoria - a name, by the way, that I really like.  But there was no great story or meaning behind it.  I was told no one is sure where my first name came from or why it was chosen... and my middle name was after a "crazy" relative.  Hmmm.... Not quite what I was hoping for in meaning.  That changed for me when I looked up the meaning of my name when I grew up.  Kristen is a derivative of Christ and Victoria means "conquerer" or "victory".  Essentially, my name means victory in Christ or Christ's victory.  Now that is a wonderful meaning for my name. But the even more amazing thing about both my name and yours is... "Before I was born the Lord called me;  from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name." Isaiah 49:1b.  Now that is true joy!
Praying you have many blessings and joy,
Kristen

Welcome... and bloom!

Welcome!

I am glad you are here!  My name is Kristen and I am new to blogging.  I am jumping into this venture with both feet and am learning as I go.  I love color, creating, encouraging, and finding joy each day.  This year I chose a word.. it is Bloom! So instead of waiting for the perfect time or place, I am trying to bloom!  That is why I am staring this blog.  I hope to share ideas and encourage other wives and mamas.  I love saving money and my thought is "if I can make it, why buy it".  No need for perfection... but rather joy!  If you look, joy can be found everywhere... in God's handiwork, the people we love, creating something, savoring a moment.  

So here begins this journey... I hope you will join me and bloom!