Behind the Scenes of Our Fall Home Tour Photoshoot

Episode 16: Show notes

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The Story of a Special Camera

I’m going to be honest. I wasn’t planning on publishing a podcast at all today. But, as I sat down to write a quick little newsletter to go along with the brand new Fall decor home tour, a story spilled out of me that was a bit unexpected.

I decided to read it to my husband to get his thoughts, and as I did,  I found myself tearing up and sobbing my way through the words. Clearly, it’s a tender heart story of mine.

My husband listened through the whole thing and his first comment was, “That should be a podcast episode. Well, if you can hold yourself together to do it!” So, I think I’ve got myself together enough to try – so here we go!

Click PLAY on the player above to listen to the story, or read the full transcript below.

About Seasonal “Home Tours” as a Blogger…

I stopped doing seasonal “home tours” a while ago. Not necessarily because I was embarrassed about my house or decor not measuring up to other Interior Decorator blogs, but because there really wasn’t anything exciting or NEW to show!

I’ve grown more and more comfortable using the pared down decor that I love with all my heart – and really just reorganized it in different arrangements for a different “feel” each season.

It didn’t seem like something that would maybe be “exciting” for the reader – like you – who may have been reading my blog for years and years. Do you really want to see the same vintage pitcher sitting on a different shelf of the bookcase than it was last year??

But, something changed this season.

An Unexpected Gift

You see, almost exactly a year ago today, a family relative passed away. I only met him once that I can remember, but he left a huge, positive impression on my heart.

His name was Richard – always known to us as Rickey – and led a quiet life as an absolutely brilliant man. His career was in a field I don’t understand but had to do with research in nuclear physics. (I like to say that he was a real, life rocket scientist, but I’m not sure if that’s true?) Single his whole life, when he passed away quietly at home, all of his immediate family members were already up in heaven to greet him.

I had absolutely no idea until he passed away that he was an avid hobby photographer.

He had collections of cameras and lenses, and through an interesting turn of events, I was asked by a family member if I would like one.

I don’t know if I can adequately express my gratefulness – and the “weightyness” – of having one of his cameras in my possession now.

You see, I have long dreamed of having a camera of “professional quality” for this business of mine, but have been trying to make the most of my little starter camera I got years ago. Goodness knows it probably has more capabilities than I’ve been using anyway! And, I’ve been drooling over a specific lens for YEARS – but the pricetag always stopped me from hitting the purchase button. It seemed like a luxury I just shouldn’t get…

Looking for Miracles

I’ve mentioned a time or two before that it might sound strange, but finances and my life of faith are intricately tied together. Living for decades on literal missionary support made me drop to my knees often, asking God to meet our most basic needs for food and clothing. And, I saw him work miracles to make that happen.

Then there was a pivotal time in life when I really doubted if God was actually going to take care of us or not. I was really mad at him, if I’m being honest…and thought I’d better pull up my bootstraps and start looking after myself since I thought he wasn’t.

He and I wrestled over that for about a week. And then He did something so awesome and amazing that I couldn’t deny that miracles like that only come from Him…I always say it changed everything for me.It was something tangible that led me to feel and know deep down in my soul that he was in fact looking after the details of our everyday, and he still is.

Decades of looking and watching for miracles on a daily basis has helped me recognize them quicker nowdays…

And getting this “dream” camera is yet another miracle to me, too.  It’s something “abundantly above what I could ask or imagine” arriving to me in such an unexpected, incredible way.

So, I pulled it out for the first time the other day – along with the fancy lenses I never thought I’d have – and shot some pictures of our little home cozied up for Fall.

As I snapped away picture after picture, I thought of that kind, gentle man now in heaven whose camera I was now holding.

I want to use it to carry on his legacy and bless others with this gift from him.

Now listen! Our home probably wouldn’t be in the the “showstopper” category. And, I’m just learning how to use this new, fancy dancy camera – so don’t expect today’s post to take your breath away. But, I hope the post will give you some ideas that will help and inspire you in the everyday, ordinary things of life – like how to add touches into your home to cozy it up for Fall. Here is the blog post link.

More about our Podcast

The Harbour Breeze Home podcast is hosted by Rita Joy, author of the Harbour Breeze Home blog. With lighthearted conversation and storytelling style, Rita Joy will share tips and tricks to help you take steps to help make your home look and feel its best. Watch for new shows coming your way on Mondays.

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