The End Is Just The Beginning

We see a period. The end, no alternatives. No second chances, no do-over. No stops, no restarts, no going back. The little girl in Mark 5 is dead. No question mark, it was final. The last breath had been exhaled. Those that knew her were in mourning. To all, her story had ended- they didn't know she'd forever live in the pages of our bibles, or that her story would impact people centuries later. All they knew is that this young girl was gone. Nothing they did could bring her back.

Sometimes God lets things in our life die- relationships, situations- He allows them to dry up, to wither so that when He steps into that place and brings it back to life we know it could only be Him. It's easy to forget the lesson of the woman with the issue of bleeding in the midst of this dead place, we forget that He sees even in the midst of this wasteland as we whisper like Lazarus's sisters "If you had only been here...".

We forget that He isn't just the God that calms storms, and searches out the unwanted, He isn't just the God that goes in search of the one lost lamb- He's the God that steps through the fabric of eternity to save you.

He turned the sun back as a sign for Hezekiah, He met the woman in the street that just had to touch Him right where she was. He sought out the man living amongst the tombs when everyone else had given up on Him. And yet we are surprised when He calls out this little girl and tells her to stand.

Are there dead places in your life? Dead relationships that you are clinging to, but powerless to fix? Are you stuck in a dead situation, with no options left? He knows. He's coming for you. He sees the pain, the brokenness- and He's coming to meet you right where you are- just like this little girl. He spoke the concept of time into existence, He's not confined to the little spot between the last letter of "The End" and a period He holds the whole book. He hasn't forgotten you. You are not lost to Him, even as this little girl wasn't. She may have been lost to this world, but to Him? Not a chance.

No wasteland is too big, no storm too furious, no darkness too great, no period too solid for Him to break through and find you right where you are. You were on the devil's hit list before you were even born, but no one says where your story ends but the Master Author himself, not the devil, not your friends, not your family- not even you. He holds the pen, He knows where to break through, where to meet you. And like a lifeguard, He reaches down and pulls you from the water. But sometimes we have to walk through the dead places, to be reminded that He can step in and use every situation. No matter how dark, how hopeless, how final He can use it.

He makes a way, where there was no way. He is faithful, even when we can't immediately see His presence in the situation. He's there. He will never be too late.

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Exploring Tennessee's Upper and Lower Piney Falls

There are few things I enjoy more than gardening and hiking, so when Mr. Cottage had a rare weekend off we decided to hit the road and visit one Tennessee's many amazing waterfalls. The day was beautiful and cool and the sun was shining brightly. We had gotten our first frost just a week or so before and all of the leaves were brushed with brilliant colors. 

Because we were unfamiliar with this waterfall we opted to leave the dogs at home this trip much to their chagrin. But it allowed me to bring my camera and take pictures instead. The whole drive up was amazing! I think I had my face pressed up against the window whispering "WOW" the whole 2-hour trip. If you have ever been to Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau in fall you know what I mean!  

Piney Falls State Natural Area is about 2 gorgeous hours from Nashville, located in Grandview Tennessee. Our navigation got us lost the first time so double check the address it is sending you to, you want Fire Tower Rd. Grandview, TN 00000.

Piney Falls is one of only fourteen national natural landmarks in the state of Tennessee, it features amazing waterfalls, stunning old growth forests, breathtaking gorges, and beautiful creeks. Water pours over the 80 feet of Upper Piney Falls into a beautiful pool, before cascading 40 feet over Lower Piney Falls.

The forest views alone are magnificent, couple that with the water and it's breathtaking! We hiked to Lower Piney first- I could literally sit here all day, it's absolutely peaceful.

The rock face is just as magnificent! 

Next, we hiked to the upper falls, and I thought the lower falls was breathtaking! Just look at this one!

We followed the trail to the base of the Upper Falls, the trail is a bit steep and rocky and can be hard to find the markers in places but the view is so worth the trip!

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Cranberry Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookies

I've been craving Christmas cookies all day, so after we finished shooting the dining room (pictures to come) I decided to take a break from editing and make something tasty. Enter these delicious cranberry sugar cookies dipped into melted dark chocolate! These are super easy to make and taste amazing!

Ingredients:

 1/2 Cup Cranberries chopped
2 Cups Organic All-Purpose Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 Teaspoons Non-aluminum Baking Powder
1 Free Range Egg
1 Tablespoon Whole Milk
1 Teaspoon Organic Vanilla
3/4 c Butter
3/4 Cup Raw Sugar
Organic Dark Chocolate

Directions:

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream butter for 30 seconds in a standup mixer, add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add flour to butter mixture, beat until well combined and add cranberries. Preheat oven to 375. Form into walnut size balls and flatten, place on a baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes or until golden. Cool Cookies, melt chocolate in a double boiler. Dip cookies into chocolate, slide the edge of the cookie on the bowl to remove excess chocolate. Place Cookies on a flat surface until chocolate hardens.

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Cozy Farmhouse Christmas Mantle

I am so excited to start decorating for Christmas! You don't understand, this time of year I turn into an elf and practically fling glitter- don't believe me? I literally have a Christmas elf dress and if that isn't ridiculous enough I have candy cane striped knee high socks I like to wear with it as I dance around the house singing Christmas tunes and creating a winter wonderland.

My friend recently sent me a picture of herself wearing a Santa hat- in essence giving me her blessing to start the decorating. I sent one back to her in full elf gear, her response? Where are your elf ears- I know you have a pair. So you see my Christmas spirit cannot be contained. Heaven help me when we are out shopping, somehow I always manage to find the "Christmas Isle" AKA The Isle of Amazing Things. For the most part, I have been good and waited for sales- Ok I slightly splurged on beautiful Christmas plates at Walmart (pictures to come!) and a couple ornaments for our fairy tale tree but everything else we got this season has been on sale. Kroger had 50% all their Christmas stuff this morning and Hobby Lobby always has some wonderful deals for Black Friday.  

While we are decking the halls of the Cottage we thought we would share this mantel from last year. I think it has a bit of a French Farmhouse feel to it thanks to those gorgeous set of wings over our mantel from Decor Steals -If you have never checked out this wonderful sight I highly recommend you do, they have great deals on amazing decor pieces! Antique Farm House is a little more pricey but has an awesome selection of farmhouse decor!

We placed broken mirror, white trees and candlesticks on either end of the mantel, and then sprinkled our smaller vintage candlesticks and silver Christmas ornaments across the middle of the mantel. For garland, we used a beautiful piece of flocked greenery and pinecones from Hobby Lobby.

We also used muslin and burlap stockings that we made a while back. I think it gives the mantel the perfect mix of delicate and rustic! The ones for us girls have ruffles and ribbons, while Mr. Cottage's is this more simple one with a muslin cuff and a vintage button.

On either side of the fireplace, we filled our galvanized buckets with logs for the fire, keeping it cute and functional at the same time.

Keep up with all the behind the scenes action on Instagram!

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