Ampersand Ideas: Design Elements for Home Decorating

{source: one king's lane}

An ampersand (or epershand) is a logogram "&" representing the conjunction word "and". This symbol is a ligature of the letters et, Latin for "and"

{source: handeyesupply.com}

The word ampersand is a corruption of the phrase "and (&) per se and", meaning "and (the symbol &) intrinsically (is the word) and".^[2]

Traditionally, when reciting the alphabet in English-speaking schools, any letter that could also be used as a word in itself ("A", "I", and, at one point, "O") was preceded by the Latin expression per se ("by itself").^[3][4][5] It was also common practice to add the "&" sign at the end of the alphabet as if it were the 27th letter, pronounced and. As a result, the recitation of the alphabet would end in "X, Y, Z, and per se and". This last phrase was routinely slurred to "ampersand" and the term had entered common English usage by 1837 {source:wikipedia}

{source: designyoutrust.com}

I have to tell you my VERY favorite symbol in most fonts is the Ampersand. I think it is the most artistic and interesting shape in any letter set. Can you even believe some fonts don't include this adorable little treasure? Sometimes curvy, sometimes not it is simply a delightful little character. It isn't just a letter... it is a word.

{source: ebay}

...and let's think about what it stands for... more, adding on, including,TOGETHERNESS. You cannot argue with me here it is a feel good symbol that is beautiful on the eye.

{source:tillyscottage}

Why not create a little symbol of togetherness to display in your home as a daily reminder to do this thing called life together? Here is a DIY project for you to make your own marquee ampersand posted over at Happy Looks Good On You. 

{source: happy looks good on you}

I know this is not a profound post - but hopefully it was fun to scroll through. 

My prayer on this one is that you will spend some time reflecting on how to be an includer. We have people all around us that feel lonely, down and isolated, especially after Christmas. Let's be on the lookout for someone to reach out to. 

Let's spend some time looking around for our &...

Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. - Romans 12:9-13 msg

-Simply Sublime