waiting with grace...

One of my favorite daily blog reads is Big Mama, a fabulous woman whose storytelling and perspectives make me laugh every morning. I love how she talks about hunting, reality tv, and fashion all on one site - not an easy task to accomplish!

Today's post is about singleness and learning to be fulfilled right where you are today, rather than always thinking about what's still to come. While very different than her typical subject matter, I thought she spoke really well to the things that all women struggle through at some point or another - because let's face it, aren't we always waiting for something?

And couldn't we all use a little reminder that God put us in the here and now for a reason...and to enjoy it?

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” I Corinthians 2:9


*image from my ocean wanderings this past summer...isn't this little path wonderful?

fyi...

Yep - it's true.

(Totally incredible, but true!)


*image via This Is Reverb

some funny for your monday!

I'm not sure if you've seen this blog yet or not, but since I keep finding myself back there snickering at the photos, I figured it was time for me to share.

The title says it all - Cake Wrecks. Wrecks of cakes, supposedly all professional made, which I find both terrifying and disturbing.

Take for instance this lovely dog at the top. He was supposed to be for the first day of school - you know the funny saying about the dog eating your homework? Well, I'm just hoping that's all he eats...



Or how about these stunners? Yes, they are wedding cakes, and I'm pretty sure people requested them. At least requested the general theme. Scary, no?

Although I'm not really sure that if they had been better executed the end product would have looked too much better...



What about our favorite dead celebrity? Just when you thought we were done with seeing him on every newscast or magazine cover, he pops up on a cake.

Oh the nerve...



These fall into the category of just bad. The top one was intended to be a wedding cake, although I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to have been there when the bride saw this for the first time. It had to have been ugly...just like the cake.

And this green monstrosity - I'm pretty sure words fail me. And I like green, folks.



I feel we should close today with this wonderful creation.

This is a cupcake cake - and while I'm not sure why it ever happened, I'm posting it so that my favorite cupcake creating ladies always remember what cupcakes could turn into.

Go forth and enjoy your Monday. But watch out for bad cakes, because apparently they're everywhere!


*all images via Cake Wrecks

On the Road Again

I've been traveling for work these last two days, logging probably around 300 miles in two directions for two very different clients.

I'm a little tired.

But totally blessed.

I was anticipating being pretty much done with one client due to some economic issues and a weird internal communication gap in their company, but found myself very much back in the game when I arrived. After six hours of unexpected meetings, tours, and art installation (only about 5 1/2 more hours than I anticipated) I was one very tired and very happy girl. Lots of work to be done!


Then I got to have a visit with one of my favorite people on the face of the planet - the lovely sister!

She waited patiently for the endless meeting to wrap up so that we could eat yummy pizza together and catch up on our busy lives. It was so worth it.

I wish more of my clients would move to her backyard so that I could visit her more often!




Then yesterday, after a rushed stop at the gallery, I hit the road again. This time, off to my major client of the moment in Lowell.

I'm starting to feel as though I could make that drive with my eyes closed. Which of course I won't do. But you get my drift, I think.


After some last minute art installations, I met up with one of my bosses and her significant other to do some touristy stuff. It was bizarre to wander aimlessly around this town which I have spent so much time rushing through for work. Definitely fun though.

We went to the Boot Cotton Mill - which is a lovely exhibit in a stunning old mill building. It gave a great depiction of how the space would have looked (and sounded!) during the days of cotton weaving. Worth visiting if you like history.



Finally, at the end of the day I attended the giant opening reception for my client's beautiful building. What a great party for a great company.

They have been a fabulous client, and it was really fun to see them get all the credit for a job well done on a massive project.

Plenty of schmoozing and mingling - which I'm definitely getting better at. I think it helps that this was my project and my people, rather than just a project I helped with. Maybe I'll get the hang of this job after all?



It warmed my heart to see the people touring the building take time to look at and appreciate all of the art in the space. After months of living and breathing this project, it was quite fulfilling to see others enjoy it.

And best of all was the look of pure bliss on every executive and employee face as every guest was blown away with how well everything looked and functioned. A job well done all around.



As for me, I'm just looking forward to being in the office today long enough to get some work done. I can only imagine what's waiting on my desk and in my inbox...

a good read...

What is it about a good book?

There's that feeling that wells up inside - pure joy and contentment just bubbling to the top - above everything else going on in life.

I always want to savor that feeling - take my time, and yet on the other hand I love to rush ahead at full speed and devour every last word.



In typical fashion, I picked up this book off a table at Barnes & Noble quite a while ago.

It was a completely random choice, although in my defense (a) it was an attractive cover, (b) there was a horse on the front, and (c) for some reason I just liked the title.

Well, all of those things aside, this book was fabulous. I love the writing style - easy but not over simplified - and I love Sara Gruen's treatment of serious topics in a sincere and unassuming way.

And, to be honest, it was really lovely to read a book about horses. I've always loved horses, but have never had the opportunity to spend too much time riding or caring for one.



So imagine my delight when I realized that this book was actually a sequel - there was another whole book with the same characters and style out there waiting to be devoured!

Granted, it would have been good to figure this out before reading the whole book, but I'm just so glad to have another good read that I'm fine with reading them out of order.

Yesterday I started this one, and right now I'm trying to savor it - fighting that urge to rush through - because it's definitely a good read so far.

I'll keep you posted once I'm finished...


*top image via E Tells Tales

A Poem

The Changed Man
by Robert Phillips

If you were to hear me imitating Pavarotti
in the shower every morning, you would know
how much you have changed my life.

If you were to see me stride across the park,
waving to strangers, then you would know
I am a changed man - like Scrooge

awakened from his bad dreams feeling feather
light, angel-happy, laughing the father
of a long line of bright laughs -

"It is still not too late to change my life!"
It is changed. Me, who felt short-changed.
Because of you I no longer hate my body.

Because of you I buy new clothes.
Because of you I'm a warrior of joy.
Because of you and me. Drop by

this Saturday morning and discover me
fiercely pulling weeds gladly, dedicated
as a born-again gardener.

Drop by on Sunday - I'll Turtlewax
your sky-blue sports car, no sweat. I'll greet
enemies with a handshake, forgive debtors

with a papal largesse. It's all because
of you. Because of you and me,
I've become one changed man.


When looking through a book of poems this morning, I rediscovered this one, and wanted to share. It speaks of hope and love in such a genuine and unpretentious way, and inspires me.

Hope your Monday is lovely.


*image via Cup of Jo

adorable!

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

This sweet video is all over the place right now (including sister's blog!) but in case you haven't seen it yet, I wanted to share!

Happy weekend :)

*via Cup of Jo

oh friday, my favorite...

The best day of the work week is here - our portal to the weekend!


A few happy thoughts to share...

• Not only did I break out first sweater of the season today, I get to have lunch with a couple of my favorite girlies. Two pretty sweet things for the same day. :)

• My boss shared this website with me, and I have been enjoying looking through all the books she has featured. I don't know about you, but books are one of my major weaknesses...

• This weekend will be full of church - meetings, meals, work days, services, etc. - and I can't wait. It's exciting to be part of a community that I look forward to serving alongside and spending time with. What a blessing!

• Really cool post at at very chic blog. I love the juxtaposition of fashion and interiors!

• As I drove to the gym this morning, the sun was just rising over my city, and I had a really cool moment to admire my Creator's creation - what a good way to start the morning!
  

• Joanna over at Cup of Jo just returned from her honeymoon and posted what has to be the sweetest series of photos I've ever seen. If you don't follow her regularly, you should check them out!

Happy Friday!


*image via E Tells Tales

some pretty for your day...

I have been smitten with these gorgeous interior photos ever since Desire to Inspire featured them a few months ago.

They are a tiny slice of the work of Helen Norman, a very talented photographer who shoots a variety of subject matter.


And yes, not going to lie, these blue cabinets really threw me for a loop the first time I looked through her portfolio.

Now I love them.

(Sorry, Mom. I can hear you in my head saying how dated they will look in just a few years, but right now I think they are really pretty.)



Check out the rest of her portfolio - there are hundreds more beautiful images.

And lots of inspiration - both for the photographers and designers among us.


*all photos via Helen Norman

Steadfast...

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
Awake my soul! Awake harp & lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let your glory be over all the earth.

(Psalm 57:7-11)


Do you ever feel like your heart is everything but steadfast?
I tend to feel more like a spazz than steadfast.
But I long to hold tighter...and praise more.
I want to awaken the dawn with all of my praises - no matter how I feel, or what my day will hold.
How about you?


*image via Chatting At The Sky

silo...house?

So apparently, someone in the Midwest thought it would be a great idea to take two old silos, stick them side by side, and transform them into a round version of a modern bachelor pad.

Yes, that's right - silos.




This is such a totally weird, yet somehow appealing concept.

Look at all those beautiful curving lines...so striking and elegant.


And really, who doesn't love a little sleeping pod?

The little step stool for climbing in and out definitely makes the look complete...


If industrial kitchens are your thing, this one is certainly pretty lovely.

All in all, obviously a bizarre concept, but pretty cool finished product.


*found at Dornob

worship

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity...

No matter how many times we sing these lyrics at church, they still get to me.

Just think about what we could do if this truly became the cry of our hearts...

*lyrics from "Hosanna," by Hillsong United

oh those artsy types...

A fabulous photography project from a darling blog.

I thought on this rainy Saturday, a little color inspiration might be a good thing.

Be inspired!








*all via pine to the pacific

**ps. thank you to anyone who attended the gallery opening last night - what a fun time!

hello, friday.

It's finally Friday, and even though it's only been a 4 day work week, I'm so ready for the weekend.

(What is it about short work weeks that make you long so desperately for the weekend?)

A smattering of happy thoughts of the morning:

• My parents are coming to town this weekend! I can't get enough of them, and can hardly wait until they arrive. While I'm not sure that it's normal to love hanging out with my family as much as I do, it's definitely true.
  

• Twin and I are dogsitting this weekend, and I'm really looking forward to hanging out with one of the coolest dogs we know. She's big and has personality to the max - plus she lives in the most interesting old house I've ever been in.

• After having given up blogs for a while (which is NOT easy, for the record), I have started venturing to some of my favorites to read back entries. Yesterday I had the pleasure of reading this post, which just made me happy. If you haven't read her blog, check it out - it's very sweet.

• Along with a small group of others, I feel very privileged to be helping develop and plan the next series of messages and small groups for our young adults church. This past week we met for dinner and a planning session and I was blown away by the gifts of creativity that so many of my friends have been blessed with. What a good God we serve!
  

• I've been watching Waiting for God - a fabulous BBC sitcom full of dry humor and British charm. Further proof that everything British really is more amusing. (Thank you Netflix for making it possible for me to watch this every morning in my bed!)
  

• Tonight we have a show opening at the gallery, and a bunch of my church peeps are coming up for the reception. I could not be more pleased and feel almost like a little kid at how excited I am!
  

Ok, enough rambling. The house needs a little tlc before my folks arrive!

Happy today, everyone.


*While fall is undeniably here, I'm not quite ready to abandon my favorite of all seasons. These great bikes, found as we walked to the beach one summer afternoon, just scream summer and happiness in a wonderful way...and for this reason I am making you look at them with me. :)

clouds

I can't stop taking pictures of clouds.

It doesn't seem to matter what kind of clouds, or what background the sky is providing - the clouds just get me.

These top two?

At the target down the street from our place. As we were putting the bags into the car, I had to stop and whip out my camera.



These are from a summer afternoon at the lake; something about that wonderful bright blue behind them was too perfect to pass up.

(And you get a little bonus in the second one with a special appearance from Twin.)




Here's another beautiful summer afternoon set.

These were at a local park, and I must have spent nearly half an hour laying on my back just shooting photo after photo.

Maybe it's a sickness? Should I seek aid?



Ocean clouds are somehow different.

These are particularly dreamy, I think.

I took these on one of our late afternoon ocean escapes this past summer.


And finally, a classic driving cloud photo.

These have a special angle and attitude, I think.

Don't you?

elegance

I love this simple, elegant look.

It makes me want to sit a little straighter in my desk chair.

Or go buy a fabulous new white shirt.

Sigh.

*image & inspiration via garance doré