cute & cuddly

On a day as cold as this one, I think this little guy has the right idea:

Hat + Hood with little ears = warm and happy

(I'm not entirely certain I could pull off the ears quite as well as he does, but it might be worth a shot to keep warm)

Happy end of the weekend, everyone!


*image via tumblr

rusty fingers

It just hit me the other day - I miss playing the piano.

I miss those boring scales and endless Hanon exercises...and then pay off when my fingers just connect perfectly with the keys.

I miss playing two-piano with Mr. Richardson in his piano-filled living room, and the hours of lessons that Mom used to patiently sit through. (thank you, thank you, thank you)

Maybe until I get a place where my piano will actually fit (and Daddy will agree to help me move it to) I should draw myself a piano like this one.

I have serious doubts about the sound quality though...don't you?


*image via tumblr

winnie the pooh

The more it SNOWS-tiddely-pom,
The more it GOES-tiddely-pom
The more it GOES-tiddely-pom
On
Snowing.

And nobody KNOWS-tiddely-pom,
How cold my TOES-tiddley-pom
How cold my TOES-tiddley-pom
Are
Growing.

- A. A. Milne

*via tumblr

brrrr

I don't know about where you are, but it's cold here.

And thank goodness it's Friday, or there's no way I would want to do anything but curl up on the couch with another cup of coffee.

Ok, so that's totally all I want to do, but since it's Friday, I'm going to bundle up and trundle off to work, thankful that I have a job to go to...

Happy end of the week, everyone!


*image via Shutter Sisters

bread

Last night, Twin and I tried out a new recipe - Garlic Cheese Bread - which from the name alone I'm sure you can imagine we will be cooking again. And again. And again.

Cheesy and delicious...and so bad for me that I actually relished eating the salad we had with it!


Last weekend, I met and fell in love with a cousin of sorts to the Garlic Cheese Bread - Olive Cheese Bread. Salty and cheesy and oh so yummy.

Thanks, PW, for more easy recipes which make cooking and eating so much fun!

(Note - once you make and consume these, you should go immediately to the gym. I am not recommending them for their nutritious value!)


*inspiration & images via The Pioneer Woman

home

Some music just sounds better on vinyl - I'm convinced.

For instance, istening to Harry Chapin on my ipod just isn't the same as blasting it on my parent's turntable.

(I guess I'll just have to go home to properly listen to 30,000 lbs. of bananas.)

I'm clearly thinking of home today...what are you thinking of?


*image via tumblr

sweet faces

Let's take a moment and admire these sweet faces, shall we?

(Just do it, you know you want to...)





There, aren't you just a happier person now?



*all cuteness via desire to inspire

a poem

Late Hours
Lisel Mueller

On summer nights the world
moves within earshot
on the interstate with its swish
and growl, an occasional siren
that sends chills through us.
Sometimes, on clear, still nights,
voices float into our bedroom,
lunar and fragmented,
as if the sky had let them go
long before our birth.

In winter we close the windows
and read Chekhov,
nearly weeping for his world.

What luxury, to be so happy
that we can grieve
over imaginary lives.


*image via tumblr

road trip

I'd like to take a road trip in a fun little car like this one, and look this fabulous along the way.

Anyone want to come?


*images via Everything Fabulous

weekend!

Something about this picture captures the sense of glee I feel when the weekend rolls around. Especially days like today - full of sunshine and friends!

Happy weekend, my friends!


*image via tumblr

girlie

Ladies ~ sometimes don't you revel in frivolous, pretty things just because they are girlie and lovely?

These pretty pink things make me feel so cheerful on this Friday afternoon!


*images via kiss the groom & tumblr

just sayin'

Really, doesn't that say it all?


*via tumblr

tattoo

As sister will tell you, I'm not a huge fan of tattoos - but there's something very sweet about this calligraphy tattoo with the names of the man's daughters.

Where do you land on the issue - tattoos or no?


*via Cup of Jo

sittin' on the dock of the bay...

Doesn't this look like a good spot to spend a summer evening?

(eating ice cream perhaps?)

Oh summer, please come back soon.

You are missed...


*image via tumblr

ooo la la

I'm loving this chunky, colorful bracelet - discovered in one of my favorite Etsy shops!

What do you think? Do you have a current favorite?

more snow...

Despite being totally sick of the snow and cold, I feel obliged to admit how gorgeous it is, and thank God for surrounding us with so much beauty.

This morning, as my car slipped all over the roads on the way to the gym, I couldn't get over how amazing it is to see every branch and surface covered with the most delicate, powdery snow. It's like the whole world just gets a fresh outlook.

Hope your Wednesday is happy!


*image via tumblr

thank goodness.

A good reminder - no matter where you're at...


*image via tumblr

sunny style

My favorite fashion photographer duo recently went to Brazil, and I've been loving the images from their blogs for the last week or so.

I can almost feel the heat and the sun on my skin just looking at all the gorgeous colors and textures.




(oh summer, when will you return to us?)


See more images here and here...they're sure to add a little bit of warmth to your day.

hey jude

I'm sure this puts me into the nerd category, but seriously how awesome is this flow chart?


*via her name was lola

lessons

I love how when God teaches us a lesson, it's usually not ambiguous. Knowing our ability to miss the point (or explain it away as coincidence), He's typically pretty direct and gives us several opportunities to catch on to what we're supposed to be learning.

For instance, last night we sang this song, which really spoke to my heart:

I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hand

And then this morning, I woke up to this verse - sent to me by a friend:

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Eph. 4:2)

Thank goodness for direct lessons. Now just to learn them and hang onto them...


*image via tumblr

that saturday feeling...

Recipe for happiness:
sunny and warm weather (over 40 degrees!)
hanging out with some of my favorite pooches (the cousins)
a girlie overnight with one of our girls (let's make pickles...outside!)
bonfire tonight (mmm s'mores)


Hope your Saturday is happy!


*image via tumblr

friday!

It's finally Friday!

After this busy little week, I'm happy to welcome Friday and the promise of rest this weekend. (I have another crazy long, busy day to get through first, but hey, at least it's coming...)


A few fun links to help speed us through the day:

The most lovely use of old pins & brooches I've ever seen... (glamorous and colorful!)

Nic Cage as Everyone. (this just kills me, and I'm not sure why...)

A devotional-quality post about God as our strength. (her writing never ceases to move me)

Cool YouTube art. (bizarre and interesting - thank goodness for artists to think outside the box!)

Wedding video guaranteed to make you smile! (thanks ab!)

The best (& most stylish!) use of 2 rooms - ever. (I've been swooning over these for weeks now...)


Hope your day is wonderful!


*image via pink wallpaper

color.

Today I'm loving these gorgeous interior shots by photographer Anitta Behrendt. (found over at desire to inspire)

I love how light and airy each of these spaces are, and think that the blend of color and contrast is just amazing.




Go check out the rest of her portfolio...so much inspiration and beauty for a cold winter day!

surrender!

Ok, it's official.

I get it - I'm supposed to buy red shoes.

One doesn't just stumble upon all of these images in one day...




Now it's just a question of what kind to buy...


*images via tumblr

making up excuses...

Lately, I seem to be noticing red shoes everywhere.

Maybe it's just that I'm craving color (oh winter...we are not friends) or perhaps powers greater than myself are telling me to buy red shoes...

What do you think?


*image via tumblr

sing!

You've gotta make your own kind of music
sing your own special song,
make your own kind of music even if nobody
else sings along...

On cold winter mornings, there's just something about The Mamas & The Papas that makes me happy!


*image via tumblr

yes, please.

How cute is this, and how much does it make you want a grilled cheese sandwich right now?

The little shots of tomato soup totally make it!


*via Cup of Jo

truth

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:22-24)

Last night I taught at my church, and despite being (finally) done with my preparation, this morning I found myself back at this verse again...


*image via shutter sisters

joy

May your Saturday be filled with some measure of unrestrained joy and happiness!

(Do you remember that feeling of pure bliss when you were swinging really high?)


*image via shutter sisters

b&w

This kitchen is certainly a statement, although I'm not sure I could commit to it forever!

I love the crisp contrasts and think this is a great way to display a collection, but wonder if I would start to crave color after a while.

What do you think?


*image via desire to inspire

this & that...

For you, my friends, some random things I've been collecting and loving this week. They make me smile, and I figure it would just be selfish not to share!


Recently I found this adorable blog (via Cup of Jo) and think that both the premise and the drawings are so sweet! Artist Sophie Blackall illustrates ads from the Missed Connections section of Craigslist, where people try to connect with strangers who they shared a moment with on the street/in the elevator/etc...so interesting!


Another delectable looking recipe I'm longing to try...and it looks so pretty!


Have you seen this very cool Coldplay video? The chalk drawings are amazing and I love the superhero version of Chris Martin! (I'm sure I'm behind on noticing this, but figured if you hadn't seen it yet, it's definitely good for a smile...)


Now I'm all about shoes, but these are just crazy on a whole different level! Check out this very cool blog with some pretty fabulous images. (Found via my lovely friend V)


Happy Thursday!


*top image via tumblr

purdy.

Um, wow.

Talk about feminine and glamorous and lovely!



These beauties are by Hoss Intropia, a pretty amazing Spanish label that I'm sure I could never afford.

But thank goodness looking is free, because these are sure worth a peek!

Go take a look...I'll be here still swooning...




*images & inspiration via this is glamorous