make-do {and make lovely} hymns of thanksgiving garland

 Happy Monday friends. How was your weekend?  Mine was good but pretty busy. In fact by Sunday after lunch I was worn smooth out. I crawled in bed after lunch and pretty much stayed there the rest of the day.  Which isn't a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the middle of a thunderstorm. I read, I watched Masterpiece Theatre and Oprah's interview with Carrie Underwood and her husband (they seem like the cutest, sweetest couple.)  While I watched I also worked on unraveling and balling tons of yarn that was generously bestowed to me by a friend (I see many more Pom Poms in my future and maybe even some granny squares.) During the interview Carrie sang a verse of the Hymn, How Great Thou Art, which is one of Oprah's favorites (and mine too.)

Growing up in a Southern Baptist family full of incredibly talented singers and musicians meant that for me, great gospel hymns were woven into my everyday life. They were not just for Sundays, but instead they were just one part of the soundtrack of daily life- they mixed in, right next to the Beatles,  Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Amy Grant, Huey Lewis and the News.When Sweet Man and I were married we chose to have the congregation sing Great Is Thy Faithfulness as the benediction; a prayer to cover our marriage, that we would see "new mercies every morning" despite whatever lie ahead. And to this day whenever I sing It is Well with My Soul   I cannot help but tear up, and Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing pretty much sums up my wandering heart.

 Our 2012 has been such a mixed bag of emotions, highs and lows. Dreams realized and dreams put on hold. Disappointment and excitement. I thought for Thanksgiving, it might be appropriate to have a paper chain garland made from old Hymn pages to remind us that Whatever my lot, he has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

To create the chains I simply folded and tore each page into fourths. Then I used a glue stick to secure each end together, looping and gluing each strip as I went along.

Then I hung the garland along with some vintage pom pom trim across my mantle, where it serves as a gentle  reminder to give thanks in the midst of both the good and the bad.  To live life from a place of thanksgiving and not out of bitterness or anger. And to always sing Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise.