break

Dear friends,

I'm taking a week-long hiatus

from the noise and chatter of the

blog & facebook world.  While I love

and cherish this outlet and all the 

creativity and community that I find 

here, I feel that a little time away will

be a good thing.  See you in a few days! 

Love, Amanda

came to my rescue

 In my life, be lifted high

In our world, be lifted high

In our love, be lifted high...

*hillsong, image

yes please.

 Love this.

Super crazy busy night of art and fun 

tonight at the gallery.  I'm looking forward 

to the madness, but also can't wait to go 

home and snuggle the handsome man 

on the couch and welcome the weekend!

*image

moo

 Every once in a while, my heart misses

the farm.  Being outside, working hard with

family, all the animals...oh the animals.  I'm a 

total sucker for barn cats and cows. 

Especially of the baby variety.

Then I see posts like this one from the 

Pioneer Woman, and I completely melt over 

the sweet faces.  I remember how rough their big,

weird tongues are.  I think about nuzzling baby calves.  

And then I start the dangerous dreaming about one

day having land and critters and kids...  

And then (here comes the reality check), I 

remember how much I like living near the grocery 

store.  And having a house that has never had 

manure tracked through the rugs.  And buying shoes.  

And selling art while wearing my fun shoes. 

Alas, I think my bovine friends are best visited.

And, at least for now, I will be enjoying their 

sweet furry faces via the internet.  :)

*via

cold

After all this bitter cold that we've had 

lately, this poem really grabbed my heart.

It's called "Cold Calvary" by John Piper, and 

I found it on his blog.  Food for thought.

Did you know that on the night he was betrayed
Jerusalem was cold?
Did you know that it was cold?

When he broke his sweat and beads of sorrow rolled
Hot-steaming down his face,
Did you know that it was cold?

When the heart of Judas burned with greed, and sold
The priceless Son of Man,
Did you know that it was cold?

When his lips all pale and hot with terror, told
The soldiers who Christ was,
Did you know that it was cold?

When the voice beside the fire accused, “Behold!
You too were one of them!”
Did you know that it was cold?

When the priest boiled over, and his god extolled,
“This man has spoken blasphemy!”
Did you know that it was cold?

When the heart of Pilate failed, and he paroled
Barabbas, at the dawn,
Did you know that it was cold?

When our Maker hung with burning shame, and bold
Men cried, “Now save yourself,”
Did you know that it was cold?

And when Joseph took his bloody flesh to fold
It in the linen cloth,
Did you know that it was cold?

Surely, surely, if you know, though all the gold
That is, be offered you,
Never will your love grow cold?

*via

sparkle

 There's just something about sparkle.  

Guaranteed to make a girl feel glam and 

beautiful...you know, like a girl!

*via

etsy cuteness

 After yesterday's grumpiness, I think

today would be a good day for 

some extra cuteness.  And I think

these little darlings fit the bill perfectly.

I am smitten with their wonderful little

expressive faces, and think that the richness

of the glazes would be really pretty in 

person...or in my house.  You know, with 

all my other miscellaneous clay objects.  

And if neither of these guys up above can win 

over your heart, I dare you to try to resist this 

dude.  It's a hippo, people!  Practically impossible

not to fall in love with his funny little blue self.

Hope your Wednesday has something

happy or cute to make you smile!

*shop

ick

It's official - I am tired of winter, and

I'm feeling grumpy about having to drive 

in the mess.  I can do it - but being 

capable doesn't mean I have to like it. 

(Disclaimer - today was the third trip 

this week I had to make for work in totally 

crummy weather, so my level of

grumpiness is very high at the moment.

Don't worry - it will pass soon.)

I hope it's not snowing where you are.

happy list

 1.  Awesome date night with the handsome man

this past weekend.  Amazing food at a fun new

place, lots of sweet time together, and a reason 

to dress up and look fancy! 

2.  Super excited for the ever lovely Ab, 

who is the guest post today over at the very sweet 

Love & Photographs.  (And perhaps even cooler...

I got to have coffee with her this morning!)

3. An unexpected fun trip to Boston to see the 

Celtics beat the Jazz on Friday night...and in 

some pretty darn incredible seats!  (Thanks, 

Papa Ed, for sharing so generously with us!) 

4. Our incredible invitations are going into the mail 

today!  A million thanks to my fabulously

talented sister, who magically captured so much 

of our inspiration and designed the perfect invite!

Hope you find something happy on

this very cold Monday!

good advice

What a good reminder.  I don't know about 

you, but I find it easy to get nit-picky 

about so many little things that really 

don't matter matter. At the end of the 

day, I'm always happier when I practice 

letting the little things go.

And yet, it's easier said than done.  

For me, remembering how gracious God 

is with me sure goes a long way to 

helping keep my focus where it should be.

What helps you?

*image

comfortable

 

This picture makes my heart so happy.

It feels so familiar and comfortable,

and somehow like the world is just 

a little better knowing that other 

person is there with you...

*more on the photo here

homeward bound

We're heading home today

for a weekend with these lovelies.

I'm looking forward to some

family time and the rare chance to

see some of our favorite Maine

peoples!  Now to just get through

this nutty work day...

Happy weekend, my friends.

*image via sister

snowy

 

Yesterday we got 18" of the 

fluffy white stuff.  That's

precisely a foot and a half,

which is a little crazy.

But I got a lovely snow day with 

the handsome man out of it all, 

and the world is pretty darn

beautiful this morning with the sun 

shining & reflecting brightly, so I 

suppose there's no reason to complain! 

*image

countdown

Today marks 100 days to go

before the big day!!

(insert squeals of excitement here)

*image

sickie

 

This is about how I've felt for

most of the week.  The handsome

man & I have both been out of action

for a few days, thanks to the icky plague 

that seems to have gotten pretty much 

everyone in our circle.  Thankfully we're 

starting to feel much better, although a 

nap on the floor like this little dude is 

sounding pretty appealing now...

*image

dear blank

Have you ever seen this great website?

Dear blank, please blank.

It is full of hysterical little notes like these:

Dear Boss,

Please stop asking me to bring you coffee,

I have a masters degree.

Sincerely,

Overqualified

Dear Guys Wearing Speedos,

Contrary to popular opinion, less is not

always more.

Sincerely,

Scarred for Life

Sure to brighten any Monday!